CW:

UM...... none. I think. HALP if miss something!!!

I stutter, choke and pull back from the magic. End up coughing to try and hide the confusion that must cover my face.

“Ina?” I hear one of my companions call out in worry. “Are you–”

“Fine!” I bubbler, “Just… My apologies! just a little choking fit. Give me a moment to collect myself.”

Footsteps behind.

What is that? Is… does the Matron have something here that is affecting the World Song? How in the fuck am I suppose to sing with that thing burning a hole in it!?!

“Apologies, Matron.” Elpherin announces, “But… You have a guest that insists on your immediate attention.”

“Truly?” The Matron purrs, but does not rise. “Who believes themselves so important to come demanding me so late in the day? She must be quite the woman.”

“She…” Elpherin seems to pause. “Matron, you might wish to keep this private.”

Veletross laughs, “This is my Inner Circle and Heiress, Elpherin. They know my vices. Bring her here.”

I glance back to see the first servant nod and leave. Delphian and Ophrit rise, and while the older woman steps up to ask if I’m alright the younger goes to pour me a glass of something. The cold liquid of the wine helps soothe me. Not to fix my perfectly good throat, but give me an excuse to calm my mind and consider the odd sensation.

Carefully try to… to listen to the World Song again. See if–

I have to close myself off to it almost immediately, barely stop from flinching!

The fire is hotter. Almost seems closer and–

“Matron Veletross, Emarial of the Sun Spoken.”

I freeze. First at the name. N– No. It can’t be. Just a woman of the same name or… But then the title shoots panic through my mind.

A floundering madness as all the words come together to alert me to the woman who steps past the first servant, then myself and my companions, to approach the Matron.

Roiling Amwella thrums and screams, even as I don't try to focus on the World Song.

“Hello Vele.” She says, voice tired and rough.

It didn't seem this horrid before!

Is... did it get hotter?

Or... or am I just more sensitive to it now since She showed me the World Song!?!

The Matron’s cold attitude seems to shift, turns… angry. “Matron Veletross, if you please.”

She… she hasn’t even looked my way.

Wh– What should I do?

Emarial pauses, then sighs. “Alright, I guess you earned that.”

“I did. Especially since you made it quite clear that you never intended to step foot in my home again. What… fifteen years ago? Longer?” She nearly hisses.

“Longer. I know we didn’t part on good terms. But–”

“But what?” She spits, all control oozing from her like blood from a wound. “Hm? What could possibly bring you crawling back into my estate? You seemed perfectly happy to let me pick up the pieces you left scattered.”

Even from behind I catch Emarial’s wince as the room of women seem to lean away from their grandmother’s rage.

“I had to. You know that. If I stayed She would have–”

Veletross growls, her fury cutting off Emarial’s words. “I lost a granddaughter not six months back.”

Emarial jerks at that. “What? To a nightmare?”

“Worse. She was trying to clean up the mess left by one of your kind. Was butchered in her own home.”

If I was a frozen mound of worry at Emarial’s presence, the Matron’s words turn me to ice.

I… I can’t recall the name of the woman. Only… only flashes of her… and… and the Murtaziq.

Is… is this that woman’s family!?!

“Vele I… I’m so sorry I… we all agreed that–”

She tried to kill my lovers.

“Matron Veletross, you cunt.” The Matron demands. “Now tell me what brings you back after all this time. I’m already sick to death of this discussion.”

A long pause.

I… I should have left Arudia. Could have run so far by now. Coming to the heart of this blighted land was a mistake!

Unauthorized tale usage: if you spot this story on Amazon, report the violation.

“Okay. But… Maybe we should...” Emarial glances around the room. My heart lurches, but she doesn’t quite turn enough to see me. “Talk in private?”

I could leave now.

Just… back out slowly and find them.

Tell my lovers this was a terrible Idea by their stup–

My sudden bout of pain at the forbidden word causes me to flinch so hard I nearly drop my glass.

“This is my inner circle, Sun Spoken. Do you expect I’ve been dealing with your kind’s nonsense alone?” The Matron snorts.

Emarial sighs. “Alright. But… I have a companion that’ll need to be here before we get into the weeds of it. Also, this… this Sun Spoken who killed one of your family. Is she…”

“Are you alright?” Lady Ophrit whispers, placing a worried hand on my arm.

“Dead.” The Matron hisses. “Burnt out after Her slaughter.”

I jerk at that.

Wait.

Dead?

Is… Is this the same person? But… Why would she think I died?

Maybe I’m just... Am I overreacting?

“And the body? Did you at least recover her shard?”

“It was in the middle of one of Arudia’s biggest cities, So no. I suspect she died in a ditch and was believed to be just another commoner or peasant.”

I’m torn. Half preening for information, but… no much more than half screaming for me to just leave!

To run and never look back.

But… But what about the Weaver? How will I find a way to keep Her away from me?

And… and there’s the other thing. The Obelisks and… and wanting to make Arudia better for a certain group whom I will not picture or name or think about.

“Let’s um… I need some air.” I whisper. “Please?”

“Okay. That’s… not ideal.” Emarial runs a big hand through her hair.

“Ideal?” The Matron hits her with a cruel laugh, “What would be ideal here, Sun Spoken? Tell me. Please! Because your cunt of a Goddess is–”

“She’s not mine, Matron.” Emarial growls, sudden anger and fire roiling so hot I hear the echo in the World Song even without focusing on it. “Don’t you ever imply it again.”

I do drop my glass then, just as Lady Ophrit, Delphian and I get to the door. Most ignore the little crash and cracking sound it makes or barely spare it a glance.

But… Emarial flinches, turns her head just enough for one eye to touch mine.

Begins to turn back, rage still–

But then she jerks, turns her entire head to look at me. I freeze, force all my panic and rage to turn hard and angry.

A shell to protect myself for whatever comes next.

Maybe… maybe even the first notes of that peeling song the Weaver insisted I keep close in case of danger.

Recognition.

“Inamatorii?”

Fuck this cunt.

And somehow Yrelia’s training in politeness is what rushes up through my lips.

“Apologies, Matron and… and guests.” And without waiting for anyone’s reply, I turn and leave.

Tink tink tink. Goes my cane as I storm toward the exit.

“Ina!” Someone calls, Delphian I believe.

I don't stop.

Muffled voices, a few shouts and a laugh. Then heavy footsteps. And the heat tells me who it is before she easily catches up to my hobbling escape.

“Ina, hold on I–”

“Hetaera Inamatorii, if you please.” I growl as I slow, knowing I can’t outpace anyone. “And I was just leaving, Sun Spoken.”

A hand wraps around my arm.

Burns… not… doesn’t hurt but… but causes my own Amwella to flare up in answer.

I don’t turn, just stop.

“Why're you here?” She demands.

I grind my teeth.

“None of your business, now let go.”

“No.”

And she has the arm holding my cane so… So I can’t even bonk her with it!

“Again.” I hiss, “You… you’re doing this again? Cornering me and… and…” I turn back, anger and panic and such fear rolling through me.

Begins to bubble into my Amwella and shape it into a knife that will peel anything I wish apart.

But… Her face is pained and so very tired.

Eyes locked on my maimed leg and the ugly tip that pokes out from the lovely dress Lady Ophrit insisted I wear tonight.

My horrid song falls away.

Has she… has she not slept since Deledita?

“What happened?” She whispers, only worry and sincere guilt dripping from her words.

I jerk my arm, she doesn’t release me. “Doesn’t matter.”

“Another attack.” She murmurs. “By… by one of the nightmares.”

It’s not a question.

I look away. Let her assume whatever makes her leave me alone!

I pause, weighing… options. But just nod. Let the lack of details cover me from needing to lie.

“I shouldn’t have left you." She murmurs. "Not… not without…”

“I distinctly remember telling you to fuck off and never come near me again.” I whisper harshly.

A long pause. “You didn’t find anyone to help, did you?”

I flinch, shake my head in silent answer.

No, Emarial, I did not find a teacher. Not… not a human one, at least.

She sighs heavily. “I didn’t find any of my old allies either. I think… I think most are gone or…”

She lets it trail off.

“Fled.” I finish for her.

Emarial’s wince rolls all the way down her arm. “We might be the last. You’re… is She… Do you still dream of Her often?”

I glare up. “What do you think?”

Her face is… worried, and the accusation in my question deepens it. “How bad?”

I see Lady Delphian and Ophrit just past Emarial about five paces back. Almost… almost a shield in case others might want to intrude.

“Bad.” I reach up with my free hand and pull the dream stone up just enough for Emarial to see. “But I have a temporary solution.”

Emarial pales. “Is… Is that–”

“As bad as it seems? Yes.” I drop it back beneath the cloth at my chest. “As bad as if I didn’t use it? No.”

She nods. “I… I’ll be here for a while. I can teach you how to burn your Amwella away and–”

I snort. “I already figured that out.”

“Then, Why!?!” She stiffens. “Why not just…”

“Because I’d like to be ready to protect my lovers.” I hiss, then whisper much quieter. “And… and to get my leg back. Someday.”

That makes her eyes go wide. “What?”

But... more footsteps sound from the hallway behind my companions.

I jerk my arm again, and her grip is loosened enough I’m able to pull it free. “As before, I’ll manage my affairs without your aid, Sun Spoken Emarial.”

Elpherin appears, face still an expressionless mask as she steps up beside Delphian to regard us.

I take a step back and look past the huge Sun Spoken to the first servant. “Send the Matron my sincerest apologies. We’ll have to reschedule, my voice seems to be in a poor state to entertain anyone tonight.”

I expect Elpherin to argue or to say that the Matron demands I return. But she just… nods. Delphian and Ophrit seem… well, they seem just as surprised by all this as I am. Ophrit moves to go with me but I hold out a hand.

“It’s fine. You should both stay and enjoy the evening.” I take another step back. “I need to get some fresh air and… and consider some things.”

Emarial doesn’t drop her hand. “Can… Can we talk? More than this. After… After my business is finished tonight?”

I bite my lip, Considering… Could she help me? Maybe… maybe…

“I’ll think about it.” I huff, “I’ll need to speak with my lovers first, see what they think.”

She grimaces and steps back. But… as she moves to return to the Matron I can’t help but… but… worry at something so much that my mouth speaks out before my mind can stop it.

“Is Zigdara still with you?”

She turns back, surprised. “Yes, we’re going to speak with this Matron about that thing I told you about back in Deledita.”

I sigh. “Why?”

She tilts her head.

“We both know how She feels about that kind person.” I whisper and look away, “They’re dead.”

She winces, goes pale and haunted. “I need to know why. If the person responsible is… is still alive they could do a lot of harm.”

Fuck.

I hate this cunt but… but she… she deserves to rest.

I can give her that. Tell her some truths that will free her from her promises to my Sangoma.

Then she’ll leave, and I’ll never have to see her stupid face again!

“Glimmershale Inn.” I force out, “Meet us in the common room at first light.”

And then I leave.