Chapter 32: Framework 10

Elania wove through the throng of Silvers working around the Purple Tower, their arms laden with equipment. The once serene bridge leading to the tower now thrummed with activity, a stark contrast to her previous visits.

A Silver greeted her at the entrance, his polished armor glinting in the sunlight. “Welcome, demi-divine. Please, follow me.”

She nodded, falling into step beside him as they entered. The plush lobby she remembered had been transformed, replaced by a large strategy table surrounded by a group of officers deep in discussion with Arlois. Maps and documents littered its surface.

Arlois glanced up, her gaze locking with Elania’s. With a few curt words, she closed the conversation and strode over, her arm snaking around Elania’s shoulders. “Elania, I’m glad you’re here. We have important matters to discuss.”

Elania allowed herself to be guided towards a private room. The memory of her and Yolani’s recent encounter with Ember lingered, making Arlois’ closeness uncomfortable.

As they walked, she couldn’t help but notice the tension on Arlois’ face. “Is everything alright?” Elania asked.

Arlois glanced at her, a flicker of something in her eyes. “No, not really. But we’ll discuss it in private.”

Elania nodded, a sense of unease settling in the pit of her stomach. Whatever Arlois had to say, she had a feeling it wouldn’t be good news.

They reached the private room, and Arlois ushered her inside, closing the door behind them with a soft click.

Elania settled into the plush chair opposite Arlois. The room’s opulence felt at odds with the tension.

Arlois wasted no time, leaning forward, her elbows resting on her knees. “I want to commission the Neftasu Guard to help protect the city.”

The words hung in the air momentarily, and Elania felt a wave of relief wash over her. She leaned back, a sigh escaping her lips. “Aren’t they banned from those activities?”

Arlois shook her head. “Since I’ll be the one commissioning them, it will be legal. I am a Tower, after all.”

Elania raised an eyebrow, a flicker of annoyance sparking in her chest. “Why now? You’ve made me go through so much grief and energy to find something to keep them paid.”

Arlois leaned back, folding her arms across her chest. Her gaze was steady, unwavering. “The Monevoian warship that attacked the city was a test. We dealt with it, but there’s every chance the empire is planning to invade.”

Elania frowned and leaned forward in her seat. “Why don’t you do something more, like a counterattack?”

Arlois shook her head. “The Monevoians are already saying that it was a rogue actor, and everything is fine—which is complete bullshit.”

Elania’s eyes widened. “I’m surprised at how fast communications run.”

Arlois shrugged, her shoulders rising and falling in a fluid motion. “They likely had scout airships in the wind to observe, and they can move quickly.”

Elania nodded. She had been considering things from a medieval speed standpoint, but with flight, everything was much closer than she had realized. Even if things appeared far apart on the maps, airships were essentially slow airplanes and could cover long distances quickly.

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“How do the Neftasu Guard fall into your plans?” Elania asked.

Arlois’ gaze intensified as she locked eyes with Elania. “The Neftasu Guard can fill holes in civil services such as rescue and emergency response. They’ll be allowed to bear weapons in case the city is boarded.”

Elania’s eyebrows shot up. “It’s been drilled into me that’s a privilege not granted to other organizations.”

A wry smile tugged at the corners of Arlois’ mouth. “We find ourselves in dire need right now.”

Elania nodded, her mind already racing with the implications of the arrangement. The Neftasu Guard would have a purpose again while earning their keep.

“How much will the pay be?” Elania asked as she leaned back in her chair.

Arlois let out a short laugh. “I will cover all the Neftasu Guards’ expenses and wages.” She paused to flash Elania a smirk. “In addition to that, ten percent to you.”

Elania raised an eyebrow. She figured the Guard’s expenses would be nearly six to eight thousand crit per month. That meant she’d be getting hundreds as… a kickback? Bonus?

“Ten percent? That’s incredibly generous.”

Arlois shrugged, a casual gesture. “Consider it a token of my appreciation for your cooperation and the skills your people—and oracle—bring to the table.”

Elania nodded quietly, her gaze fixed on the floor as she absorbed Arlois’ words. She looked up, her eyes meeting Arlois’ with a steely determination. “If you’re going to give them their muskets back, I’m not returning the crit you paid for them.”

Arlois threw her head back and laughed, the sound rich and melodic in the quiet room. “Don’t worry, I’ll arm them. You can keep the crit.”

But as quickly as the laughter had come, it faded, replaced by a somber expression that settled over Arlois’ features.

She leaned forward, her elbows resting on her knees as she fixed Elania with a serious gaze.

“Elania, I think you should consider fleeing the city with Yolani.” Her words hung in the air. “Take your two ships and go east. You could find somewhere safe in the Coin Republic, trading between Baria and Minzia.”

“What? But we were just discussing…” Her words trailed off as she tried to place Arlois’ suggestion. Besides the fact she knew nothing about the places mentioned, the idea of fleeing the city felt wrong. They’d just started to sink in roots and figure things out.

She shook her head. “I wouldn’t be able to bring my followers.”

Arlois acknowledged her point with a nod, her expression solemn. “Two airships won’t make a kingdom or a firm basis for a demi-divine.” She paused. “But conflict is coming to Contia, and now, rather than later.”

Arlois stood, her face darkening. “You are weak.”

A chill ran down her spine at Arlois’ words. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“You have decent combat abilities, weapons, and your oracle is extremely useful thanks to her background.” Arlois paused, the cold glint in her eyes piercing. “But your [Domain] is incredibly weak.”

Elania stood up, her heart pounding in her chest as Arlois drew closer. Raw power emanated from the other woman, a tangible force that made the hair on the back of her neck stand on end.

“What’s a [Domain]?” Elania asked.

Arlois raised her chin, her eyes glinting with a strange light.

Suddenly, the surrounding room began to dissolve, the walls and furniture fading away into a gray mist. Elania’s eyes widened, her breath catching in her throat as the world turned monochromatic.

She was left alone with Arlois, standing in a vast, empty space.

Almost instinctively, she tried to release her wings, but an invisible force pinned her in place. She struggled, her wings straining to unfurl and break free.

But Arlois’ power was unyielding, keeping her locked in a vice-like grip.

Arlois approached, footsteps echoing in the void. “I heard what happened with Ember.”

Confusion and anger swirled. “Arlois, what are you doing!”

Arlois reached out, her fingers brushing against Elania’s collarbone in a feather-light touch. Elania tried to recoil, but her body refused to obey.

Arlois circled her slowly, like a predator stalking its prey. She leaned in from behind, her breath hot against Elania’s ear.

“You’re weak,” she whispered, her words dripping with disdain. “There’s nothing you can do because your [Domain] is non-existent. You have no solid follower base, no firm concept of you in your followers’ minds.”

There was a pause. “Ember could have crushed you if she had wanted. Physical destruction to a well-rounded demi-divine is nothing.”

Elania gritted her teeth, her muscles straining against the invisible bonds that held her. She wanted to lash out, to strike back against Arlois’ taunts, but she was powerless.

Arlois returned to face her. She leaned in, her lips brushing against Elania’s in a mocking kiss. Elania’s eyes widened, and she tried to bite down.

But her jaw was frozen, locked in place by the same force that held the rest of her body. She could only glare.

Arlois pulled away only for her hands to stroke Elania’s sides, one coming up to cup and squeeze her breast.

“Stop,” Elania growled through gritted teeth.

Arlois raised an eyebrow, her fingers continuing their maddening caress. “And if I don’t? What will you do, Elania? What can you do?”