Somewhere in the Central Sea

Salvador leaned against the ship’s railing, feeling the warmth of the old wood against his arms. The winter sun warmed the deck enough to be comfortable, and the atmosphere was lax; a calm ocean ahead and the cries of birds above a nearby shoal were background against the silent lapping of water on wood.

“You’re worried about both of them, aren’t you?” a familiar voice asked, footsteps coming up beside him.

“I am,” Salvador admitted, sighing. “I wonder if I’ve made the right choice. Does Zarenna still need my help? Does my daughter even want me to see her?”

Inva leaned on the railing next to him, her thick blond hair falling to one side, tips blowing in the breeze. “You are helping, though. Already, I’ve seen some of the others on this ship talking about demon-blooded—good things, too.”

Salvador hummed, his shoulders slumping. “The next time Zarenna needs a bolt from the blue—a flare in the dark or an arrow at just the right time from an unknown ally… will she get it?”

“I like to think so,” Inva replied brightly, taking a deep breath of the salty air. “She’s good at making friends. Like me, I guess. If I could call her a friend.”

“I’m certain you can.”

“I’m glad,” Inva hummed. “Doesn’t your daughter worry when you go off like this, Salvador? Won’t she be ecstatic to see you home?”

Salvador thought about Inva’s words. Am I really just worrying for no reason? The last time he’d come home, Sonia had chastised him, but she’d also seen him off again. He had no real reason to believe she’d be anything other than happy to see him home so soon.

Next to Salvador, Inva sighed, used to the man’s silence after weeks at sea. She took to practicing Cavenish under her breath; she wanted to be able to at least say a few things when they got to Inolza.

Specifically to Salvador’s daughter. From what he’d said, Sonia was only a few years younger than Inva, and a demon-blooded. Regardless of the fact that Sonia was also part of the Church, Inva wanted to make the best possible first impression, and to show that she was just as dedicated as Sonia’s father to the cause.

Demon-blooded ought to be free of stigma, she thought. Zarenna had shown her that there was much more to demons, and if someone burdened by an actual predisposition toward a vice could move beyond that, that should be more than enough evidence to quiet even the most ardent believers in the idea that demon-blooded had any inherent evil in them.

As a paladin of Dhias, Inva was well-qualified to act as an influence, and as someone who’d experienced her early life much as Zarenna had—only with herbs as her solution rather than a violent end—she wanted to. Inva had wanted for acceptance as well in the past, and now it was time to fight, in a nonliteral sense ideally, for others.

Again, the paladin of Dhias looked out over the water toward their destination, and wondered of the future.

***

Inolza, Cavenze

“Sonia!” Luzio shouted through her door. “Hurry up! You’re going to be late to your own ceremony!”

“I’m coming!” Sonia shouted back. She made a quick decision between two pairs of earrings, sliding the more modest silver pair into the well-polished holes in her horns.

One last quick check in the mirror, she thought.

Sonia smiled, and her reflection smiled back. Her crimson skin nearly matched the color of her robes this time—a slight alteration she felt to be appropriate. The bags under her light brown eyes were expertly hidden with makeup—a kind she had to pay out the nose for due to its coloration.

Above her hair she’d left long and loose over one shoulder, her black horns practically gleamed, each one reaching skyward and slightly back, more than a handspan in length.

Sonia exhaled again, practicing her smile, not quite happy with the way her slightly-too-pointed canines looked.

“Sonia!” Luzio called again, exasperated.

“Coming!” Sonia replied, gathering the last of her things and dashing for the door.

“How do I look?” she asked the priest, soon to be the other priest. “My eyes especially?”

Luzio smiled, showing his missing tooth. “You look fine, Sonia. It’s a simple ceremony, really. I think you’re the first person I know of who has spent so much time preparing.”

Sonia huffed. “You can see dark circles can’t you?”

“What? No, not at all.”

Hmmm…

Luzio laid a hand on her shoulder. “Relax, Sonia. Everything is going to be fine.”

Sonia took a deep breath, forcing a smile. “You’re right, Luzio.” She felt her shakes going away, and her stride quickened.

“There’s the Sonia I know,” Luzio said brightly.

“Hurry up then!” Sonia complained. “Didn’t you say we were late?”

Luzio laughed and quickened his pace.

***

The ceremony felt like it was over before it even began. All that happened was a dry reading, some vows, a few words from others stating Sonia’s accomplishments, and a prayer.

Stolen novel; please report.

During the prayer, Sonia had felt something. Dhias’s presence, perhaps. Or perhaps a small, warm room filled with too many old people. She chose to believe the former, especially with how she’d lost track of time during her prayer, something she hadn’t done for a long time.

Something about the sun felt brighter, though, when she exited into the courtyard after everything concluded. Luzio congratulated her, then left, perhaps sensing she wanted to be alone with her thoughts.

Dad.

She hoped he was well. Wished he could have been there for her ceremony. But if everything, every incredible thing he’d said was true, then he was off changing the world.

And Sonia wanted to, too. Her pilgrimage request from before she’d become a Priestess was denied, but she was certain the one she’d just made would be approved. She only had to wait a few more weeks.

Just a few more weeks.

“Sonia!” Luzio’s voice caught her off guard and she startled, jumping up from her seat.

He sounds excited. “What?”

Luzio jogged up, then put his hands on his knees, panting. “Your request—the one you had me send early…”

“What?”

“It… approved. Someone higher up overrode the earlier decision. You’ve been approved—and they’re sending you to Linthel.”

“Linthel…” Sonia repeated. Isn’t that in Edath? Wasn’t Dad’s demon friend from Edath?

“Who approved it?”

Luzio shook his head. “I don’t know—it doesn’t say, but it’s official—here!”

He shoved a half-crumpled missive into Sonia’s hands. The wax seal on it, slightly cracked, showed it to be real. An approval, not just to Linthel, but carte blanche. I can go anywhere—with the Church’s blessing! Sonia blinked, then her face lit up.

She shouted in joy before she even realized it, clamping a hand over her mouth hastily.

“I doubt you’d get in trouble for a single shout,” Luzio chuckled. “Really though, I never imagined—”

He cut off a Sonia hugged him. “Thank you! Thank you!”

“B-but I didn’t—”

“Doesn’t matter! Someone did, so I need to thank someone and you’re the closest!”

Luzio held in a sigh to conserve air and nodded.

I can’t wait to tell Dad! Maybe I’ll even meet him on the road—wouldn’t that be wild?

***

I don’t have too many personal things, but this feels like a lot to carry. I guess I don’t have to take all my earrings, though. Makeup will be no good on the road, and it’s not like I’m going anywhere that won’t have these things.

I definitely need the Cavenish to Ordian translation book—I’ve had too little time to practice, let alone to speak. Should I take some paper to practice with? No, I need to practice speaking, not writing. Or do I? Could I even read an inn sign—wait, won’t they have to make it clear for people in Ordia who don’t read anyway?

Just the book then. I definitely need a spare set of vestments just in case, but two should be enough and then I can carry my clothes. I’m pretty strong for my size, so I could always get a bigger pack.

Oh! I haven’t even thought about a tent or a bedroll. If only Dad were here, he’d know how to pack for something like this.

Can I remember what he packed before he left this last time…?

Eventually, Sonia’s thoughts were interrupted by a knock on her door. “Priestess Sonia!” an acolyte on the other side said cheerily. “Your father’s here to see you!”

“Dad?” Sonia yelped, jerking up from trying to see how tight she could fold robes. “I’m coming!”

Priestess Sonia. I wonder if I’ll ever get used to that.

Sonia dashed out of her room and down the hall. Just outside the main chapel’s nave, her father was waiting with a tall blond woman in… paladin armor? Whoah!

The demon-blooded priestess paused just long enough for her father to notice her first.

“Sonia!” he called out. “I heard you’re a priestess now!”

“I am,” Sonia replied, shaking her head. “I wanted to tell you as soon as I could. but…”

Her father nodded.

“I’m just glad you’re back and safe,” Sonia said, smiling broadly.

The pair hugged, and the paladin tried her best not to look awkward.

“Are you going to tell me who this is?” Sonia asked.

“Inva,” Salvador replied, and the woman waved upon hearing her name. “She’s going to be joining the church here in Inolza, from Ordia.”

“Why is she with you?” Sonia asked. “And does she speak any Cavenish?”

“She’s learning, Sonia. And she wants to help demon-blooded, too.”

Sonia nodded, walking over to the paladin with her hand outstretched. “I’m Sonia Rozaro,” she said as well as she could in Ordian.

“My name is Inva Lien,” Inva responded in… passable Cavenish.

They broke off the handshake, the priestess looking up and the paladin looking down, both studying each other.

Quickly, Salvador realized he needed to play the role of translator. “Are you free, Sonia?”

His daughter turned to face him. “I’ll make time!”

“Can we all get lunch then?” Salvador asked, repeating the question in Ordian for Inva.

Both women smiled and nodded, and the trio left the church, stepping out into the pale warmth of the sun.

Lunch went well, and over the meal Sonia’s dad caught her up on what exactly had happened since he’d last left: from his intervention at Mordwell’s estate all the way to Zarenna’s fight in the middle of Lockmoth.

By the end, Sonia’s eyes were practically glowing and Salvador realized he may have made a mistake.

“You’re going to Ordia to chase after Zarenna?!” Salvador practically shouted, startling even himself. “That’s far, far too dangerous!”

“Dad! Just because I don’t have magic doesn’t mean I can’t take care of myself!”

“Even if you had magic, Sonia, I would worry just the same. This isn’t about magic.”

“Don’t you want me to be happy?”

“Of course I do.” Salvador said placatingly.

Sonia huffed. “Then you know I’m old enough to make this decision!”

Inva watched the pair with wide eyes, head flipping back and forth as they spoke in rapid Cavenish.

Salvador sighed and furrowed his brow. He must be thinking about mom, Sonia thought. He only took a moment to respond. “Alright, Sonia. But be careful.”

“And you can’t go with—huh?” Sonia stopped, stunned. “You—you’re okay with this?”

Salvador nodded slowly. “I am, yes. Were I to try to stop you, it would be hypocritical of me.”

“You’re not going to try to come with to protect me?”

“Would you want that?” Salvador asked, already knowing the answer.

Sonia shook her head. “It’s not that I love you any less, but it’s just that… I want to do this on my own.”

Salvador simply nodded. “I know.”

“Then why did you make me say it!” Sonia hissed.

“You know I’m not the best with words.”

Sonia huffed. “True. But I love you anyway, Dad.”

“I love you too, Sonia.”

Seeing the two hug each other across their small table, and the eyes of the other diners moving back to their own meals, Inva let out a sigh of relief.

“Oh! Sorry, Inva!” Sonia apologized quickly. “You didn’t need to see that.”

Inva paused as if to register what was said and shook her head. “It’s fine,” she answered in Ordian looking to Salvador to translate. “I can see you two clearly care deeply for each other. But I do want to know what is going on.”

With a nod from Sonia, Salvador explained everything to Inva.

The paladin took a long moment to think.

What Sonia couldn’t know was that Inva was thinking back to when Zarenna saved her. That moment where, a fraction of a second later, she’d have been killed. Inva knew the sheer difference in ability was staggering to consider. Knowing that Zarenna would be in more fights, and that Sonia wanted to get involved…

“Sonia,” Inva started eventually. “Are you able to requisition the services of a paladin for your journey?” She looked at Sonia with hope and determination in her eyes.

Salvador translated.

Sonia half-smiled. “I am.”

Inva gulped. “Then, if I may, could I travel with you? I understand I just got here, but I want to help demon-blooded too, and maybe work with Zarenna in the future, if I could be of any help. I could also translate Ordian—and I know my way around a blade and holy magic.”

When Salvador translated, he did so hesitantly, as if he feared his daughter’s pride would cause her to reject Inva’s offer. Instead, she seemed to think it over, and he relaxed his shoulders and let out a sigh.

“May I consider your offer overnight, Paladin Inva?” Sonia asked politely.

“You may,” came the translated reply, with a lot of hope from Inva.

I might need the help translating, Sonia thought. And Inva seems at the very least earnest—perhaps the company wouldn’t be so bad?