“I swear, she was here when we came back.” Thel’s frown is one of the darkest I think I’ve ever seen from her as she takes another turn, casting her eye around the lounge and seeing nothing more than last time. As if Yeslee might have suddenly rematerialized in here in the last minute or so since we regrouped. “Does she do this a lot?”
“Yes?” I shrug, there’s really nothing more I can think to do really. “She has a mind of her own, I’ve learned not to question it in the seven or so months I’ve known her. She’s a Fir Bolg. They’re not really known for being comfortable in civilised surroundings at the best of times.”
“You’ve known many of ‘em then, have you?” She gives me a particularly dark look.
“No, she’s the only Fir Bolg I have encountered in my decidedly limited time out in the larger world, I admit it. But that’s one more than you have, I suspect.”
“What’s big deal?” Brung doesn’t even look up from the floor where he’s been since we came back. Currently he’s got his modest cleaning kit set out in front of him on the rug, putting the finishing touches to sharpening his shortsword now he’s gotten rid of whatever blood lingered on the blade after we were done. “Not hiding, are we?”
Thel takes a break from glaring at me for my particularly sharp answer by casting a similarly baleful glare at him instead, but I don’t think she’s really angry at any of us. She’s been out of sorts ever since we came back from the fight, close to moping in fact, I think, but mostly I’ve been too distracted with other business to really focus on it until we noticed Yeslee had disappeared.
I think we were all a little shocked when Shay killed the half-elf boy on the spot. Certainly with Vik now in our custody he was no longer really needed, but Tog was still the one we’d originally come for, and there was no reason for it, especially not after all the effort we’d put in. After the fight died down and the others had finished mopping up, it meant we only had one live prisoner to show for our efforts, essentially the same result we ended up with the other day. Minerva knows Shay was angry about it, spending a few minutes cursing Thel out, and while the dwarf bore it out her mood grew darker as the evening fell. She took the tongue lashing well enough, but I suspect she doesn’t really feel she actually deserves it.
It took Shay a few minutes to dig the wounded, half-buried man out of the wreckage my over-enthusiastic spellcasting wrought, even with Krakka’s help, but when the cleric finally got a look at him he declared that he wasn’t banged up all that badly. Certainly nothing he couldn’t fix on the spot, at least. Shay, however, put her foot down again at that. She let him pop Vik’s dislocated shoulder back into place, but aside from the cut in his scalp she had him leave off any other healing, at least for the time being. She wanted him to stay hurt, which didn’t sit well at all with Krakka, but he didn’t argue, likely seeing through to her reasoning the same way I did. The more uncomfortable he remains, the easier he should be to question.
By then Yeslee and Brung had finished giving the place a final once-over with their far more impressive senses of smell, and so far as they could tell the place was cleared, so we were effectively done. Shay didn’t see much sense in going over the bodies this time, figuring they wouldn’t turn up anything new compared to the other day in the alley, so there was no further need for us to stick around.
We didn’t want to drag our prisoner through the streets now any more than we did last time, but I felt very uncomfortable about the idea of splitting the group while I just transported Vik on his own. Not after what we’d just done. Last time we had cover, there wasn’t much danger of something happening in the meantime, but this time felt far more exposed, it just didn’t feel safe. So I worked out a compromise, time consuming as it might have been.
After Thel had, somewhat roughly, chucked all the wooden furniture out of the way to make room for me, I set about drawing a makeshift teleportation circle on the uneven flagstones outside the back alley entrance. The whole time I was very aware of Yeslee hovering close by, determined to cover me even as she scanned the surrounding rooftops with an arrow readily nocked, but I came close to telling her to just cut it out after a while. It’s hard enough concentrating on drawing one of those with a clear mind, never mind being constantly reminded how much potential danger you’re in. The fact I didn’t slip up once with the chalk genuinely surprised me.
Shay voiced a wary question about whether this plan was really smart, wondering if there was any way for Vandryss’ pet wizard to track us back to the Temple through the circle, which to be fair was actually a pretty fair question that made Yeslee curse under her breath. Thankfully I was still early enough in the spell’s construction that I didn’t have to start all over again to amend the seals, so once we used it the circle would simply destroy itself. Then there’d be nothing left for anyone to inspect.
Darwyn cleared off almost before I’d started, but she’d been shaky ever since we were reunited in the aftermath of the fight, I noticed. It seemed to be bothering Shay too, but she wouldn’t elaborate on what that was actually about, simply saying that the halfling had a significant scare during their part in the mad skirmish and that I shouldn’t press. Finally she declared that she needed some time to herself and intended to report to Cobb, trusting the fresh air should help her clear her head. Thel started to protest but Shay shut her down quickly, simply asking her to be careful out there on her own since she refused Zuldrad’s offer to accompany her. Not that I’m really worried in her case, we’ve already seen how impressively capable she is.
It didn’t sit any better with Yeslee than if did with Thel, though. I saw her watching Darwyn closely the whole time after she made that decision, and while she didn’t seem openly suspicious I think I might finally be learning to read her because I’m sure that’s what she’d become. It was damn subtle, but …
I don’t give voice to that realisation now, but I have a feeling she might have followed up on it herself once she saw us safely back. Gods know she’s had plenty of time to slip away since.
“After what’s gone down lately, one of us goin’ off alone is dumb enough, but two doin’ it?” Thel hisses with clear disconcert. “Reckless, I say. Proper stupid thinkin’.”
“From what I’ve seen of her since I first met her, I think Yeslee’s probably the safest of our entire group out there right now.” Shay’s looking up from her own cleaning, sat on one of the couches with her far more substantial kit set out on the cushions beside her along with her weapons. She seems patient, but it doesn’t fool me, not really. She’s worried about her, and Darwyn, just like the rest of us.
“You’re sure about that?” Thel fixes her with a particularly pointed look, and I try not to roll my eyes. Clearly she won’t let this go.
“Oh for Minerva’s …” I mutter it under my breath, but manage to stop myself just short of turning it into a genuine oath right here in her Temple, instead taking a breath as I start digging through my components. “If it’ll make you happier, why don’t I just ask her?”
Thel frowns at me for a moment, and I realise she’s not that clued up on some of my little tricks, but I see it dawning on Shay easily enough, and she starts to frown now. “No, wait, Gael, I don’t think –”
It’s too late, I’m already unravelling the string between my fingers, so I just dip my head and close my eyes as I draw it tight, concentrating on Yeslee now, inwardly hoping I don’t fracture what fragile friendship I’ve managed to forge with her doing this. As it is I go very gently with this particular contact.
Um … Yeslee? I’m really sorry about this, but … um, are you there?
There’s what feels to me like a really long pause, but I very much expected this, I know full well what a private person Yeslee is and I can’t help imagining she might find this to be an unwanted and very unwelcome violation.
Revaska di berech turep, chohul! Gael? What the fuck … You’re bloody lucky I wasn’t making a jump there. I can’t see … I can’t HEAR anything. I can’t FEEL anything. What the hell … I HATE THIS.
Gods … I almost break the contact right there, feeling thoroughly mortified. But more than that … fuck, this actually feels like a genuine betrayal after that reaction. Her words … it wasn’t just anger, it felt like fear too. I scared her with this.
So when she comes back and suddenly sounds so calm again … I’m surprised, deeply. I’m sorry. You’re sorry and I’M sorry. What is it?
Oh, um … shit … sorry. Um … you disappeared. Thel is … honestly, I think she’s being most unreasonable, but she thinks YOU going off as well as Darwyn is damned irresponsible. Not me, of course, I mean I KNOW what you’re capable of, I –
GAEL, COME ON. Calm down. I’m not angry. You just SURPRISED ME. I … no, you’re right. Perhaps that WAS a little irresponsible. I’m just used to Kesla … I think if she could sigh in her thoughts that would be what she’s doing now. I imagine she does it physically. She’s also surprisingly talkative, but I suspect this is simply down to the fact that what she thinks about saying is just broadcast verbatim, without a filter. She’s usually so stoic, but I know how smart she is, her brain must race a mile a minute. I’ve been tracking Darwyn. I didn’t like the way she left us. It didn’t sit right.
Oh hell … yes, I wondered if that was what you were doing, but I hoped I was wrong. But I mean … do you … do you think she’s –
Probably not. At least … look, I don’t want to talk about it, and I’m trying VERY HARD not to think about it. I found her. Just leave it at that.
A big part of me wants to argue, but I hold it back. The way she’s being so very reasonable right now … it’s far more than I would have hoped for after doing this. So I take a deep breath, even though I don’t notice any of the benefit right now, and simply reply: Of course. If YOU think it’s fine, then it must be. Are you heading back, then?
Darwyn is, so I am. I’m shadowing her now, or at least I WAS. Right now I’m talking to YOU.
Ah. I blanche, as much in my head as I imagine I must be doing physically. Yes. Sorry again.
It’s fine. Just PLEASE promise me one thing, Gael.
Of course.
DON’T EVER DO THIS AGAIN. All right?
Yes. Understood. I’m sorry. I break the contact immediately, but gently too, wanting the transition to be as soft for her as I can after jumping on her, however careful I might have been going in. I still feel really awful about it, I feel like I got off unbelievably lucky that she was quite so understanding about it all.
Then I look up and find Thel and Shay both watching me expectantly, although the half-orc seems somewhat regretful about the whole business, to be honest. So I let go of a deep sigh and start ravelling the string up again so I can put it away, taking the opportunity to reorder my thoughts as well as get hold of my composure again.
“I will not be doing that again.” I finally mutter as I stuff the string back in the satchel before strapping the flap back in place.
“Where is she?” Thel asks, surprisingly reasonably, I notice. “What’s she doing?”
Frowning, I look to Shay again, and I imagine she must have explained the specific mechanics to the dwarf in the meantime while they were waiting. At least according to her own understanding. I let out another sigh and decide to just cover. “She went to look out for Darwyn. They’re coming back.”
Shay’s frown tightens a fraction at that, but she doesn’t say anything, and Thel’s still concentrating on me, so she misses it. When she finally turns away my friend’s already returning to her cleaning, sheathing one freshly sharpened knife so she can collect the other one and repeat the process. The dwarf just stares at her for a long moment and I take this as an opportunity to break away. There’s more pressing business to attend to.
Zuldrad’s appeared in the doorway now, squinting a little from all the candlelight reflecting from the walls since he’s put his lenses away again, and he’s not alone, Mistress Shul Mivzida’s with him. The half-hob wizard seems perfectly poised, but the fact that she’s come in the first place tells me enough, so I just break away from the group before Thel can start arguing again and go to them.
“What’s up?” I try to keep the concern out of my voice, but I can’t. We left Zuldrad to watch over our prisoner along with the temple guards, so the fact that he’s abandoned this job to find me is worrying.
“Gael, what the bloody hell are you doing?” The bluntness in Shul’s words brings me up short.
“I’m sorry, I … I don’t –”
“That man is hurt. It’s not life-threatening, but he’s not in a great way.” She’s fixed me with a particularly flat stare, and the way her eyes seem to pierce right through me really fixes me to the spot. It tells me more about her disapproval than her words ever could. “Your cleric says you don’t want him healed. You’re just letting him suffer.”
“But …” I grit my teeth, having to take a very deep breath to stop myself snapping. “I don’t want to do this, it wasn’t my call. But we have to do this.”
The look she gives in response hurts my heart, she actually looks betrayed, like I’ve offended everything she believes in. In a way I kind of have. “Gael, what … nothing could be worth that. No-one should be left to suffer, not when we have the means to fix it. I know you were brought up better than that. Certainly you were taught better.”
“These people know where da is!” I regret snarling it the way I do, feeling my face growing hot immediately. “I’m sorry … Shul, please. I promise, we wouldn’t be doing this if it wasn’t vital. That man … he’s one of their inner circle. He must be. They didn’t mark him, not like the others. He’s working with them without any constraints, that must mean they trust he won’t betray them. So he might know where da is. I have to know. I have to help him.”
Shul watches me for a long while, and her face has grown more introspective, a much more complex expression forming now. Zuldrad, for his part, is just looking down at the floor, arms folded tight across his chest, clearly not wanting to be involved in this business.
Shul’s ears twitch after a moment, and she turns to look out into the corridor behind her now, frowning again. When she turns back to me she seems somewhat regretful, or maybe just tired. “They’re back.” She fixes me with a much more weary look now. “I want this done, Gael. I can’t have this. Not here. Please don’t make me regret it.”
“I’ll try. I promise.” I sigh, sure I look as wretched as I feel right now. “I’m so sorry, Shul.”
Sniffing air in through her nose while her lips are tightly pursed, Shul’s frown deepens even further, as if that could actually be possible, and she can’t meet my eyes now. For a long moment she just looks at the floor, then looks up at me again, finally letting out a heavy sigh as she steps forward now. “It’s all right, Gael. I understand why you’re doing it. I don’t approve, but …” She reaches up, but she’s not much shorter than me, so she doesn’t have to stretch to lay her hand on my shoulder. “I do get it.”
When she lets go she takes a big step back, already retreating through the doorway again, while Zuldrad stays where he is. I start to ask after her but she’s already turning, and then I realise what she meant before – there are other folk arriving.
Kesla stops a little short of the half-hob, and she clearly reads her look because her own frown comes quick. “Oh, that can’t be good.”
“It depends whether you intend to bring dishonour upon our temple, Mistress Shoon.” Shul growls, folding her arms tight now as she regards her with that characteristic stern glare. I’m definitely becoming familiar with what’s clearly her default expression. She could be a teacher at the Academy with that face.
The others are somewhat clumping up in the corridor behind her, and as I look them over I realise some might be the worse for wear … gods, is Art drunk? It’s still so early, the sun will only just be coming down. He catches me looking and looks down fast, as if reading my expression.
Then I see there’s a new figure among them, and I … Minerva! I push past Zuldrad and run right into the corridor, and the others scatter, some more alertly than others, before I spring on the new arrival.
“What … oh! Hi –” Sessa doesn’t quite get a chance to prepare herself as I just leap on her, wrapping my arms around her middle and just squeezing her as tight as I can, entirely aware that, since this is the same old half-orc wizard I grew up with, it won’t hurt her at all. She recovers quickly enough, wrapping her own arms around my shoulders so she can return the hug, and instead I’m the one getting somewhat crushed, although I know she’s being as mindful as she can in the moment. I don’t mind, I really don’t – Sessa always gave the best hugs, I’ve really missed this.
When she finally pulls back she holds me at arm’s length, looking me over. “Minerva, look at you! You’ve … actually I’m wrong, you haven’t changed at all! Well okay … maybe your hair’s changed since you left, but … I mean, what were you thinking? Why’d you cut it? The long hair always suited you better –”
“Sessa, come on!” I laugh now, reaching up to touch her soft, chubby cheeks. “You’re out here with me now! You’re living the dream just like me!”
That gets her chuckling. “Oh no, no no no … Gael, please. I’m not a great warrior mage out here in the service of the Order fighting magical threats and protecting the people. I’m just an advisor! In a court for …” She looks to her side now, and I release her face so she can give Naru a careful sidelong glance. “My apologies, My Lady. I meant no offense.”
“None was given, my dear.” Naru‘s smile is so perfectly serene it’s entirely disarming. “You caught yourself just in time.”
Sessa’s cheeks darken considerably at that, but she manages a rueful smile. “Thank you.” She looks back at me now, and just like always I’m taken by how someone so tall and potentially intimidating can seem so timid and unsure of herself. As she releases my shoulders now she clasps her hands tightly together over her chest, shuffling her feet uncomfortably, her shoulders hunching somewhat while her chin dips demurely. She’s still so awkward, even after coming so far.
I mean, it was hard for her all the time back in the Academy. Magic in orcish blood is not unknown, but it’s still rare enough that we almost never see anyone with even a smattering of it in their lineage in the Order. She was abandoned in the Temple of Minerva in Tabaphic when she was just a toddler, a foundling left in the care of the Order, so the clerics took her in, raised her and, when she started showing signs of aptitude, sent her to Bavat.
There were a few half-orcs on the attendant staff when we were growing up at the Academy, so I had experience of her kin before we met, but they were unknown in the student body at the time, so just about everyone looked at her like some strange, exotic novelty. As they always do, some of the more elitists children took a set against her almost immediately, and the fact that she was already so timid just encouraged the worst of the bullies. But our band of misfits was coming together by then, so it took Tulen all of five minutes to fold her into our midst, and by the end of her first semester she’d become another core member of our motley crew. In a way she became the best of us.
Tulen took to her the most, of course, they had such an instant connection despite the fact they were always so different in personality, or perhaps they simply complimented each other so perfectly it was a blissful fit for both of them. Tulen’s exuberance and unabashed happiness consistently brought the young half-orc out of her shell and could always be relied upon to bring a smile to her face, which has always been her most endearing trait. Meanwhile, Sessa’s quiet, considerate, gentle and thoroughly respectful manner frequently provided a grounding influence on our hyperactive dragonhalf which kept her from becoming a little too much sometimes. By the time they were both sixteen they’d both become entirely inseparable.
Somewhere down the line their friendship blossomed into something more, none of us quite worked out when but as they grew older they became even closer. They took their time with it, though, both being particularly careful with how they let their intimacy develop, which perhaps fitted with Sessa, but it always surprised me in Tulen’s case, given her unswerving enthusiasm. I think she always restrained herself in deference to Sessa, so while they were both clearly deeply attracted to each other it was still years before it became anything more than handholding, cuddling up two to a bed every night and frequent long kissing. I think, most of the time, they were just so very comfortable with each other, and it just went from there.
So we were all very surprised when, approaching graduation when we had to start thinking about where we actually wanted to go in the Order after completing our education, Sessa started showing an interest in working for the Advisory Outreach. Certainly given her personality she clearly didn’t seem suited to it, but she always had quite a talent for the theory, so she just made a point of learning how to force herself to become more personable. Clearly she’s still not perfected it, she clearly still has anxiety, but deep down people just like her, and that can really help in her line of business. And going by her letters, at least the ones that actually managed to find me, she’s definitely flourished in her post in Untermer since.
“It’s wonderful to see you, anyway.” I say at last, reaching out to take her hands in mine now. “And you’re looking great, just like always. The role clearly agrees with you.”
“It does?” She seems genuinely surprised by that idea. “I don’t see how, I mean all I do all day is listen to officials complain and squabble about their work, or they’re trying to pull one over on each other to advance their positions, but then sometimes you’ll get one of the good ones trying to do something that’s really necessary. But of course they’re in the minority, and their way is almost always blocked by someone who can’t think of anything beyond their own profit margin. Most of the time they can’t do what they do in one area without having to compromise in another, if they’re able to do it at all. It’s very frustrating.” She sighs. “And they almost never listen to me! Madame Daste is one of the only ones who even cares what I think, and she can be so intimidating sometimes. I mean, she’s sweet, and I love her so much because she’s just amazing, but …” Her words fail her, and from the blush once again spreading across her cheeks and the bridge of her nose I can see she’s as affected by the senior Administrator’s charms as half of my friends.
Stepping close, I give her a gentle kiss on the cheek and she tilts her head so she can rest her forehead on mine. “You’re doing fine, Sessa. I’m sure of it.”
“She is.” Naru presses after a moment, but gently, her voice soft and reassuring now. “You’re being far too hard on yourself, like always. You’re an enormous help, trust me. Whenever I need help from the Order I just contact Sessa. She can work miracles when she puts her mind to it.”
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Sessa seems genuinely taken by the compliment, and her blush is deepening already, but there’s a weak smile touching her lips again. “Thank … um … yes. Thank you. My Lady. I mean … no, I mean really, you deserve much of the credit in our dealings, you’re a far greater advisor than I could ever be, and you have many advantages that I don’t.”
“Well, I don’t really see what you mean there.” Naru doesn’t look any more perturbed than she sounds, despite her denial. Her smile is just as serene as before.
“Well I … I mean … it’s just that … well, you don’t have anyone to answer to, not like me. You’re free to say what you please.”
“And that can be a dangerous thing sometimes.” Naru’s smile becomes more shrewd. “I know how nervous I make people who actually know what I am, and even those who don’t tend to be wary of me. It can be something of a barrier to level dealing at times. Whereas the simple fact that you’re part of the Order opens a lot of doors I can’t. Even the Tektehrans have the good sense not to run the risk of offending the Citadel.”
“Yeah, that’s all grand, but maybe we can settle in now?” Kesla’s been standing by patiently enough, I realise, but I don’t blame her for wanting to get on now. “I wanna talk to that guy soon as I can.”
“Yes, of course.” Sessa blanches immediately, lowering her eyes to show she’s been instantly cowed, and I can’t help shooting a hard glare at Kesla for it. “I’m sorry, I … I just … well, it’s been a while and … um …”
“No, I’m sorry.” Kesla sighs, although she’s still looking at me when she says it, reaching up to shove her hair back out of her face. “And it’s all right, I don’t need everybody. Gael, you wanna sit out on this so you can catch up?”
“What? I …” I’m brought up short by that, and gods know it’s tempting to me for a moment, I haven’t seen Sessa for more than two years now and I love her dearly, but … no, I can’t. This is about more than just … well, it’s not for me. “No, I should be there too. Just give me … I look at the others now, realising that most of the rest of the group have already slipped past without us noticing to enter the lounge. Naru and Tulen are the only ones left with the three of us now, while Zuldrad’s keeping to himself just inside the doorway behind me now. Waiting to go back to our prisoner, I imagine.
“Gael, it’s fine.” Kesla smiles now, and while it seems a little tired it’s still warm. “Take a few minutes. I can wait. Just fetch Shay out with you on the way, yeah?”
“Oh, of course.” I nod, smoothing my frown out now, and turn back to Sessa, finally realising I’m still holding both of her hands in mine. “Come on.”
As we start to head back in, Tulen looks to Kesla for a moment, giving her a slightly questioning look that I don’t understand, but my friend just shakes her head at her and it seems to convey a message. She starts after us too, although I notice Naru hanging back, wanting to remain with Kesla for now, it seems. I wonder what that’s about.
Thel looks up as soon as we enter, and when she locks eyes with me her frown deepens as if she wants to start berating me again. But then she just scowls and settles onto one of the other couches, immediately starting to whisper hotly with Dumoli. Trying not to frown too, I make a beeline for Shay, who still seems to be concentrating on the job at hand, although she seems to be mostly done now, finishing up with sharpening the second knife now. My friends trail me in, already holding hands and leaning into each other like I always remembered.
As we arrive she sets the whetstone down and raises the knife, carefully testing the edge with her thumb, and smiles subtly before sheathing it at last. Then she must notice she’s not alone anymore because she frowns a little as she looks up at me. “Hello?”
“Um … yes, sorry. Shay, this is my friend Sessa.”
Shay’s frown deepens for a moment, and I imagine she’s thinking about the conversations we had on the road leading to Bavat, when I told her about growing up in the Academy and the friends I had there. She makes the connection quickly, though, and her face lights up as she sets the knife aside with the rest and springs up, smiling brightly now as she extends her hand. “Of course! Hello! Shayline Swift-Kill, but my friends just call me Shay. It’s a pleasure.”
Sessa blinks in clear surprise as she looks down at Shay’s offered hand, then back up at her again, and there’s a whole series of thoughts racing though her head, it looks like. Her blush comes back almost immediately, and for a few moments she flounders while searching for something to say, but at least she manages to shake Shay’s hand in the meantime. Freya … she’s flustered again, it’s adorable. I know instantly what she’s thinking.
“Um … hi … hello. I’m … Sessa. Yes. I am. Sessa. Sessa Ruthik. Um …” She tries a smile, and it mostly looks desperate. “Hi.”
This just makes Shay chuckle, and she just reaches out with her other hand and clasps Sessa’s while it’s still gripping hers. “Yes. Hello. I really am pleased to meet you, Gael’s told me so much about you.”
“Oh? Really?” Sessa laughs a little, and it’s slightly hysterical, but she manages something closer to a real smile this time. I just look past her at Tulen, who’s got her hand over her mouth now as she’s clearly trying not to laugh too, and when our eyes meet she just rolls hers. I have to put my own hand to my lips too at that.
I take a deep breath to steady myself as I fight hard against the laughter bubbling up inside me, and step forward. “Yes, well … I’m really sorry about that. Um … really, I’m afraid we need Shay right now.”
Frowning, Sessa looks to me, suddenly a little lost. “What? You do … oh!” She lets go of Shay’s hand now because both of hers fly up to cover her own mouth. “Oh yes, of course. I’m sorry! Yes, that’s right.”
To her credit, Shay just cocks a brow at me as she takes a step back and bends to pluck her swordbelt up from the collection on the couch. “Sure. I’m done with that, anyway. Um … yeah, sure. Feel free to just sweep all that together into a bundle, I’ll clear it away when I get back. Just be careful with the oil.”
“Of course. Good luck with … you know.” Tulen nods as she steps to Sessa’s side. Thankfully our flustered friend is starting to get a grip on herself again, although her blush is just getting darker as she realises what a fool she’s making of herself.
“Um … I’ll see you when you get back, then.” Sessa finally manages, awkward again.
“Sure!” Shay buckles her belt as she backs up towards me, walking with perfect ease even though she’s not looking where she’s going, and all the way she deals her a brilliant smile. “Really, I’m looking forward to talking to you.”
“All right, that’ll do.” I lean into Shay’s side as she turns and falls into step with me.
“She’s adorable.” Shay’s still smiling wide. “I get it now, I really do. She’s an absolute sweetheart.”
I give her a good, drawn-out sidelong look, trying to work out if she’s making fun of my friend, maybe just a little bit, but she seems sincere enough. I’m a moment longer realising it’s just the two of us, and I stop, turning back again and looking for Thel, who’s still sat with Dumoli. That makes me frown again. “Thel! Hey!”
For a moment she doesn’t respond, not even looking up until I’m about to shout again in case she just didn’t hear me, and the looks she gives me is strangely guarded now. I try not to sigh. “Are you coming?”
She just regards me for a beat, as if mulling it over, then shakes her head. “Not this time. Reckon I’ll go get something to eat in a minute. Come find me when you’re done, let me know how it turns out.” With that she turns away again, leaning back into Dumoli’s side to start whispering again.
Frowning deeper, I can’t help watching her, a little thrown. Then Shay gives me a nudge and snaps me back to the moment, and when I look at her she arches her brows pointedly. I set my jaw, trying not to growl my words. “What’s that all about?”
“I’ll tell you later, I want to talk to Kesla about it too.” Shay gives her one narrow-eyed glare, then turns back and starts walking again. “Come on. Best get to it.”
Finally I just take a deep breath and follow her, and by then we’re out in the corridor again. Kesla and Zuldrad fall into step on either side of us as I make a beeline for the chapel.
“So where’s Yes?”
Almost stopping on the spot, I turn to look at Kesla, but she’s acting like we’re just taking a casual stroll through town. Letting my breath go in a deep sigh, I consider how to phrase it for a moment before answering. “She … went out.”
Cocking a brow, Kesla gives me a sidelong look in return. “Now?”
“Well there’s … it’s not like there’s any immediate danger. I mean … it’s Yeslee. She can vanish in an open field.”
Kesla smiles a little at the analogy, but it seems more sly than amused. “Maybe, but she’s the last one I’d expect to just run off without saying anything.”
“She didn’t, though.” I set my jaw, looking forward now as I just keep leading the way around the corner and into the chapel itself. “I talked with her about it. A little while ago. Using a sending spell.”
Instead of cutting between the pews, this time I take a turn and start cutting around the side of the chamber so we can detour past the altar to reach the other side. There’s no great rush, and it means we don’t have to break our grouping up in order to move in single file. So I can feel Kesla’s look as she ponders for a moment before speaking again. “So where is she, then?”
“Out.” I lick my lips as I choose my words again, but really there’s no way I can think to frame it other than just coming straight out with it. “Looking for Darwyn.”
“Darwyn’s out there too?” Kesle stops on the spot, finally starting to get hot about this, I think, and the rest of us are a little slower realising it so we scatter a little before forming a rough open huddle. “For Thorin’s sake … this really ain’t the time.”
“She went to check in with Cobb.” Shay answers much more matter-of-fact, folding her arms across her chest as she shifts her stance. “She’s capable. I’m sure she’s fine.”
“But Yes went out after her anyway?” Kesla frowns as she looks at Shay, then back at me, finally turning to Zuldrad, who just returns her look with his own cool, flat squint in the reflected candlelight.
“Maybe. I don’t know. I mean, she came back with us, but …” Shay shrugs. “Then she just disappeared again. Thel thought it was a bit … odd. Given what’s happening.”
Instead of turning to Shay, Kesla continues to watch the hobgoblin, who just watches her right back. She wants to ask something, I’m sure of it, but she holds back instead, finally letting out a little sigh and starting to move in the direction we’ve been heading again. Shay’s the first to follow, while I have to scramble to catch up again. Zuldrad just wanders after us at his own pace now.
This time, instead of heading into the library I continue further round the far side to the corridor leading into the administrative wing. The whole way Kesla remains worryingly silent, darkly stoic as I can sense her fuming away, and I fight the urge to clench my fists as I direct us to the right halfway down, cutting through the vestibule into the hospice.
The air grows cooler as we make our way down the short flight of wide stairs onto the dark tiles, and the slightly sweet, herbal, oily smell of ointments and medicine begins to tickle my nose. I lead the others through the main ward into the recovery rooms at the back, making for the third one down, where I find Shul standing outside the door, regarding me with a particularly pointed look now. Reminding me of my promise as we approach.
“Mistress Shoon.” she breathes with stern efficiency as she finally takes her eyes off me.
“Shul.” Kesla’s frown has become more curious now. “Everything all right?”
“You would have to discuss that with your colleagues.”
Cocking a brow, Kesla turns to me, but I really don’t know how to answer this time. Thankfully when she then turns to Shay she’s more willing to roll with it.
“Vik came in somewhat … battered.” She shrugs. “I told Krakka not to heal him, at least beyond the head wound. I figured you’d want him a little more … receptive.”
“Ah.” Kesla turns to Shul again, growing more sombre. “You don’t approve.”
“This isn’t the way we operate, Mistress Shoon. We do no harm here. I let it slide the last time, because you were clearly just trying to intimidate the boy. This, however, is very different. That man needs care, and you’re just letting him suffer. And if you inflict further damage on him here –”
“You do understand that one of your own is in very real danger right now. If he’s still alive at all.” I feel my chest tighten at the very mention of that idea, even though I know Kesla’s not saying it to be cruel, she’s just trying to make a point. “That man in there’s the best opportunity we’ve come across so far to get a handle on this, maybe even bust the whole mess wide open. He ain’t like that kid, he won’t just roll over if I start barking in his face, threats ain’t gonna be enough this time. How do you think we’re gonna be able to get the answers we need?”
Shul watches her for a long moment, and I can’t tell what she’s thinking at all. Then she looks down, baring her teeth as she lets out a particularly bitter sigh, and mutters. “Damn it. No.” When she looks up she seems resolved again.
Kesla sighs too, showing clear regret. “Shul, I don’t want to –”
“No!” The half-hob steps closer to her now, and despite their distinct height difference she doesn’t seem anywhere near so dwarfed as I would have expected. Perhaps it’s just the force of her personality. “Not today, not ever. I understand, you need those answers, but I won’t let you torture someone in this Temple, no matter how noble the cause might be. This is Minerva’s House, damn it! She deserves better!”
For a moment Kesla looks like she’s going to argue some more, but she sucks it in, tightening her jaw as she looks at me, and there’s something of a plea in her eyes, beseeching me for a little help. But … damn it, Shul’s right, we can’t do this. Minerva wouldn’t like it at all, it would disgrace Her name, and it would disgrace us too.
The worst part is that, when I think about it too much, I realise that Kesla really would do it, if she was driven to it. She wouldn’t enjoy it, of course, but she’d still go through with it, and I know she’d hate herself a whole lot afterwards, for a very long time, probably. And it might even break something inside her, something I really don’t want to see get broken. I know what she’s really capable of, I’ve seen her fight, I know she can be ruthless when she has to, and I know how uncomfortable that part of herself makes her sometimes. That man in there probably will put up a fight, and she won’t have any more choice.
Taking a deep breath, I look at Shay, and I can see the worry in her face too now. She’s thinking the same thing I am, but in her case she’s a little more nervous because she doesn’t know Kesla as well as me, and doesn’t know what she’s actually capable of. I don’t want her to have to start worrying about her the way I do.
So it’s on me, then. “I’ll do it.”
“What?” Kesla looks at me, just confused now. Shay starts to frown too.
“Gael, no.” Shul’s just shocked, but also a little sad.
“It needs to be done, but you’re right, Our Lady would take great offense of that being done in Her House.” I turn back to Kesla. “It’s not worth it. So Let me talk to him.”
“I don’t understand.” Kesla turns to Shul, searching for answers. “If he won’t just talk to me, then how are you going to be any more …” She turns back, wary now. “You mean magic?”
Hissing now, Shul looks more offended than ever. “Unfortunately yes. There are spells that can compel a man like him to answer, but …” Her sigh is the heaviest yet as she turns to me. “No, I should do it. Your father would not want you to –”
“That’s why I have to. This is for him. I can’t ask you to do this, not here, in your Temple, it’s as much your home as The Goddess’.” I let my own bitter sigh go. “Da would understand.”
Regarding me for a long time, Shul’s regret just seems to grow. Finally she steps towards me and reaches up, laying her hand on my cheek. “Just be careful, all right? With all that’s going on … just promise me, all right?”
Nodding, I reach up and give her hand a squeeze, holding it for a moment before she takes it back. Now she mostly just looks concerned. “All right, well … I’ll stay close to you the whole time. Keep an eye on you, in case –”
“I don’t understand.” Kesla’s frowning again. “Why can’t you just charm this guy and tell him to answer honestly?”
“Because it wouldn’t work, not on this man. You’re right, he’s not like that boy, he’s clearly strong-willed and intelligent. A simply charm won’t do it. They’ll have to get into his head and give him a push. And that can be just as dangerous for them.”
Realisation starts to dawn, and Kesla opens her mouth, then stops herself. She looks at me for a long moment, searching now, finally taking a breath before setting her jaw. “You’re sure? That this is the best way? I can –”
“No you can’t.” I step up to her now, and kiss her on the cheek. She blinks at me as she takes a step back, suddenly surprised. “Not really. I mean you can, but I wouldn’t want you to. Neither would da. So I’ll do it instead.”
After a beat, her face goes hard as she nods. “Okay, if you’re sure.”
“Great ...” Shay breathes, still looking decidedly unnerved by this whole conversation. She looks at me now, and I get the feeling she wants to say something more, but holds her tongue.
“Well,” Kesla finally sighs “Best not keep ‘im waiting any longer, eh?” With that she turns to the door and grips the handle, then pauses and turns back to Shul, who nods. Giving it a turn, she pushes it open and steps through.
Taking a breath, I follow. The room beyond is as stark white as the rest of the wing, save for the smooth, dark grey tiles lining the cool, clean floor, so the light reflecting from a few tall mounted candles set about the room is easily enough to provide bright illumination. Krakka turns as we enter, and while he left Bloodmoon outside he’s kept his shortswords strapped on either hip, just in case he needs to deal with a threat, although I doubt there’s much need in this case.
Vik’s the only other person in here right now, sat on the cot at the back of the room with his bad arm cradled in his lap, and while the wound in his scalp’s been mended he’s still generously painted with blood from the wound. He’s been stripped of his armour, down to simply shirt and britches now, and even his boots are gone, one somewhat dirty foot tucked up under him now. He looks older than when I first saw him, but that might be from the dust still caked in the lines in his face, adding to the scattering of grey in his hair and beard. More likely it’s just the pain he’s clearly still in putting considerable strain on him. He frowns when he sees Kesla, then takes in the rest of us and his expression levels out, after a moment just sitting back, letting out a long sigh as he slouches against the back wall. “Well, that took longer’n I thought it would.”
That gives Kesla pause, and she turns to Shay, giving her a somewhat pointed look, but she just shrugs. Meanwhile Krakka’s making his way over, most perturbed now, clearly intent on making his point clear.
“Kesla, I really don’t like –”
“I know, and you’re right.” she sighs, stopping him in his tracks with simple words. “We’re gonna try something else, so best work your magic after all.”
For a moment he just looks up at her, a little lost, cocking his head somewhat to give her a quizzical, sidelong glance. “Um … I’m sorry?”
“Heal him. Please.”
When he turns to regard our prisoner, Vik starts to look confused as well. “Well that’s … unexpected.”
Krakka frowns up at her one last time, as if seeking confirmation, then just shrugs as he turns back and approaches, moving more cautiously now. As he steps up to Vik Shay starts to move round at a more oblique angle, and now she’s taken hold of the hilt of her sword, her touch light but wary all the same. I don’t blame her – hurt or not, I don’t trust this man.
Taking note of this, Vik just lets out a little sigh and grimaces as he starts to force himself to sit up again, leaning forward with a long, winded groan from what I imagine is a badly battered back, maybe even some broken ribs. Once he’s finally settled he’s breathing a lot heavier, sweating some now, a little pale too, and I start to relax again, reasoning this means he’s less likely to try anything stupid.
Certainly Krakka seems a little more comfortable now as he steps close with more cool certainty, slapping his hands together and rubbing his palms like he always does while he starts muttering under his breath, a prayer to Serena. When he finally reaches out Vik stiffens for a moment, but doesn’t pull away, seeming to understand what’s to come. In the end he takes a deep breath and puffs it out as he tenses, preparing himself for the coming discomfort when Krakka finally lays his hands on him.
At first the man grunts and winces as Krakka sets his hands on his shoulder and back, but he doesn’t pull away, and I imagine he’s already aware of what’s happening. Krakka might look intimidating, despite the fact he’s quite short, but there’s no mistaking a cleric. So Vik grimaces but endures it, breathing shallow as the tengu begins his prayers in earnest. After a minute or so I start to pick up a very low hum, from nowhere in particular, and I realise it’s the magic that he’s pouring into this man, something vaguely familiar to me but also subtly different to my own power.
Slowly it starts to have an effect, within a few minutes Vik starts to sit a little more easily, finally letting some of the tension leak out of him as the stiff tenderness in him starts to fade, but he’s not looking much happier even so. He starts to look the rest of us over more warily, as if gauging how much of a threat each of us is. Honestly, that’s exactly what I’d do.
“Well …” he finally breathes, his voice hitching a little from lingering pain but less than I would have expected. “Oh ... I take it you’re wanting some answers, yeah?”
Kesla shifts her stance subtly, arms folded tight across her chest as she regards him as warily as he’s watching her. “That should follow given we’re fixing you up instead o’ just stoving your head in, don’tcha reckon?”
“Honestly, it made me wonder. I mean, you popped my shoulder back, fixed my head, but left the rest ‘fore you dragged me here, so I reckoned maybe you wanted me to suffer. Y’know, soften me up some, ‘fore you start in with the actual torture. After all, you look like just the type. Not like your friends here.” He nods at me. “This one ‘specially, half-elf’s soft as shite, looking at ‘em you can just tell.”
Shay starts to approach him but Kesla shoots her hand out to dissuade her, and the half-orc stops on the spot. She frowns at her for a moment, then blinks and takes a step back, fixing Vik with a cold glare. Deciding not to bite the bait.
“You’re a smart one, clearly. I figured as much soon as I got a look at you.” Kesla cocks her head as she lets her hand settle on Hefdred’s hilt, casual like always, but still the implied threat she intends. “And yeah, there’s torture. I mean, like you say, I’m the type, and I have done it before, once or twice.” She steps forward herself now, moving until she’s right in front of him, finally dropping into a crouch so she can get level with him.
“Back when I was in Tabaphic, once upon a time, round ten years ago it would’ve been, we had to do whatever we could to get answers.” She cocks her head again, looking at him for a moment while she lets the implications sink in.
It certainly has the desired effect, since Vik goes very still as he narrows his eyes. “Freedom Legion?”
“Whatever made you think that?” Kesla smiles, and while it’s the sweetest, most innocent one I’ve ever seen, it’s also thoroughly unconvincing, just as she intended. “I’m just making polite conversation. But yes, I could torture you. If you made me do it.”
“Then … why fix me?” Vik looks into her eyes as his own start to widen, wandering now in small confusion that’s becoming coloured by fear. “If you’re just gonna hurt me, then –”
“Last chance to start talking, mate.” She pushes upright again, taking a step back while Krakka takes his hands away and starts to retreat as well, looking more worried than wary now. I wonder if he’s making the connection quicker than our prisoner is.
“But I … no.” He looks at me now, realisation dawning. His eyes widen more, and he starts to scramble back on the cot now, but there’s really nowhere he can go, it’s just solid wall behind him. “Oh fuck off. No, that’s just … fuck you. You wouldn’t dare.”
“Well, it’s either that or I start cutting you. Since they didn’t mark you I can get a lot more inventive.” Kesla gives him a particularly vicious grin that sends shivers through me.
Shay’s moving in on the left now, looking as nervous as I feel now, and licks her lips as she flexes her hands, shooting me a look. “You’re sure about this?”
“Just hold him still.” I sigh, taking a deep breath as I start to prepare myself, holding my staff out for someone to take it. My mouth’s suddenly so dry, my breath coming faster now as the dread anticipation of what I’m about to do starts to hit home. Oh, this is a bad idea …
Vik looks at her now, and while he’s easily big enough to put up a real fight against her she seems to genuinely scare him … or more likely it’s the sobering prospect of what’s about to happen to him. “Stay the fuck away from me.”
Taking a deep breath as Krakka collects my staff before taking a big step back, I start muttering under my breath, cosmetically similar to what he does but it’s more of an incantation. There are no specific focal phrases or components needed to execute this, it’s pure intention, but I have to get into a very specific frame of mind. As I start to concentrate on the spell, my vision becomes very bright for a long moment, and the way Vik flinches back from me tells me my eyes are visibly flaring. I can feel something building in my hands too, a throbbing, purring buzz of power, coupled with a low pulse of similar energy riding up my spine, into my mind. Slowly starting to build. I take a step towards him and he flinches back again, raising his hands in front of him as if to ward me off.
“Now.”
Thankfully Shay’s on the same page when I speak, lunging as fast as I’ve ever seen her move, and Vik’s still focused on me so he isn’t even aware enough to fight her off. She shoves his left arm aside and before he can start to thrash presses her own hard across his chest, firmly pinning him into the wall as she plants her knee on the cot between his legs and pushes forward with her whole weight. In the same motion she grapples his other arm out of the way and pins it down at his side, her own locking as rigid as a steel bar, and all he can do is squawk as the wind is knocked right out of him. By which point I’m already reaching out.
“Wait! Wait, please don’t –”
When I press my hands on either side of his head, just above his eyes, I let the last muttered incantation out and my vision flashes again in the same instance that he goes as rigidly stiff as Shay’s arm. It’s like an electric current seizing hold of him as I make contact, and for a long, drawn out moment that to me feels like it goes on for a small age, I’m lost in the darkness.
It’s somewhat like when I make contact with someone through a sending spell, the muffled, slightly cool emptiness of a vacant womb, perhaps, but that’s not strictly true, I know instantly I’m not alone. For a moment more, at least that’s how it seems to me, it remains dark and silent, but then I start to see … well, it’s very hard to explain. I don’t see a person, not really, but I recognise that it’s Vik all the same, and I know he can sense me too. For now he’s just … watching me, wary still, fully aware of what I’m here for. Then I reach out, not with my hands but with my mind, and he recoils from me.
He almost gets away from me. He’s fast, surprisingly slippery, even here, in this place where I have infinitely more experience than he does. It’s a strange paradox, I’m in his mind right now so he should have the power here, but I have tools he can never dream of, and I use them now, everything at my disposal. I wrestle through what paltry defence he tries to throw up as I pursue him, and he doesn’t flee fast enough when he sees me break through. I have him.
But then, when I sink my claws in … it hurts. He screams, without a mouth it’s something purely of his unconscious mind but that makes it much keener, and it pierces deeper, it hurts me to experience it, and I have to grasp hold even harder just to keep from getting tossed loose again. This just makes him scream louder, but I hold fast, and finally I can push my own influence forward. There’s surprisingly strong resistance, but I pierce through, like a needle through particularly tough flesh, and then suddenly there’s no fight left in him.
Everything goes perfectly still and silent again, but this time it’s no longer just purely dark in here. I have him …
When I blink again I’ve come back to myself, enough at least to see and hear the world around me again, but the rest … I can’t feel anything, even as I manage to peel my hands away from his skull and stumble backwards, all I feel is him. I don’t know where I end and he begins, and it’s … oh fuck ... I hate this.
It takes the longest moment I’ve ever consciously experienced for me to realise I’m falling backwards, but Kesla’s already there, even though I don’t feel it I see her through the corner of my eye as she jumps forward to catch me, wrapping me in her arms. When she speaks I hear her, but her voice seems to be coming from a long way away, as if heard down a dark tunnel.
“Fuck … Gael … are you there? Hey! C’mon kid, answer me! Please …”
“Oh … this is not nice. I’m not enjoying this.” I can’t even hear my own voice, but I can feel the vibrations well enough to know what I just said. Kesla looks down at me as she gently lowers me to the floor, Krakka and Shul both rushing to either side of me as they each drop into crouches. They all look scared to death, even though Shul at least actually knows what I’ve just done.
“Gael, for the love of …” Kesla lowers herself to her knees more carefully, just behind my head, and starts to gently cradle it in her hands. “Are you … what are you –”
“I’ve got him. He’s responsive. Kesla, ask your questions.”
For a beat she just stares at me, visibly confused, but then her eyes narrow and she looks at Vik, who I somehow just know, without having to look, has now entirely relaxed under Shay’s grip. When she looks down at me again, her jaw setting, she nods. Then she shifts backwards and starts to push herself upright again, already starting to move around us to go and interrogate our now far more willing prisoner …