CW:

None? Talk of mupples?

“Alright.” We say while moving back after helping Yrelia shuffle and change the sheets on this huge bed. “Can they be settled there?”

Rahdian nods and moves to lay that little cutie in the center. Needing to crawl up and on it a bit to ease them down but… like they’ve been still for the past hours with some pretty loud conversations, didn’t seem to even consider waking up.

Just… would look like some pretty crystalline sculpture if not for the flickers of light and very very subtle shifting of odd limbs every few minutes.

“So…” We move around the bed to step next to Yrelia by the door, pointing to a second exit. “There is a washroom and such attached to this bedroom, feel free to enjoy that. We’ll not be ready for our song till after dinner anyway.”

Rahdian nods, seeming already exhausted but… in a good way?

More than they are used to, most likely. The larger spirit muses. Skittish at the kindness shown. Worried with every step that they will stumble and find her hosts’ temperaments reversed.

The smaller winces a bit at that. Memories of feeling similar among our lovers and… even still find some old scars nudged every now and again. But… their affirmations have held true through so much of our nonsense. Showing us in action how dear we are to them. We hope that Rahdian’s time with us will show her the same.

“Thank you.” She murmurs, eyes falling to stare at nothing. “That… that sounds nice. Actually. Some time alone to… to steady myself. Think about everything you’ve shared.”

“Of course.” We agree quickly. “Take all the time you need, and if you decide to change your mind before tonight then we’ll adjust.”

She nods, and we move to leave with our first lover. Walking a bit slowly while navigating the silent halls.

“So…” Yrelia asks, slipping her hand in ours.

“Yes, love?” We murmur back.

“She seems wonderful.” My lover says. “A mess but… I think you’d be a lot more like her if you’d had to figure out all this alone.”

We nod, “We think so too.”

“Do you think she’ll want to stay with us? For longer than tonight, I mean?”

We sigh and slow even further. “It’ll depend, we think, on how our Dream plays out.”

After explaining our plan, and answering quite a few insightful questions from both Jevita and even Thodep, our lovers agreed fairly quickly to the working. If anything they had more questions for Rahdian than us. Wanting to make sure their Weaver Shards weren’t going to be hostile.

Tasii had even asked the blunt question we were struggling to parse out from their answers. ‘How easily can your shards read your thoughts and memories? Ina here has… things in her past that have upset the other Sun Spoken we mentioned.’

No. That… that shouldn’t be possible. The larger spirit agreed with Rahdian’s eventual negative. But… What if other shards remember how to do things we don’t? Are more proficient in magics we’ve long forgotten or had carved away?

We voiced that worry to our lovers, no matter how much we both would rather just… hope for the best and spare them the worry of all this. But after Rahdian talked at length about how just… hurt her shards are. How mangled and tangled and struggling to keep their own conscious minds stable, we all decided it was on the low end of likely dangers.

So… Now everyone in agreement that this would be worth the little risks it entailed. Especially since we can keep our eventual connection to the little cutie separate until we’ve worked things out with Rahdian and her Weaver shard.

“Well…” Yrelia murmurs softly. “I just wanted to let you both know that if she needs a place, she’s welcome to stay as long as she wants. And if she wants to join us after we leave, she’s welcome to that too.”

We turn such a smile on our first lover. “Thanks. That… that means a lot. We think it’ll mean all the Dream to her as well.”

We find our other loves still gathered in the kitchen alongside Zigdara. Thodep with Kque’s wonderful mothers out to spend time with Lule and the monster who’s found stability in his snuggles.

“And?” Tasii seems to press our duenna as we enter.

Zigdara seems to look off and away. “I’m not sure. It was… odd. She knew me, and I feel like I’ve met her before but… I cannot place her face or name.”

That makes us pause, “Oh? Why didn’t you ask her?”

“Because she seemed afraid of me.” Zigdara sighs. “And I didn’t want to interrupt the more important questions you all had.”

We nod and move to slide into a chair. “Well… you are the second tallest woman we’ve ever met, and a duenna besides. And she is from Lyttoral. So…”

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

Our duenna shakes her head in frustration. “No. This was a fear I’ve only seen once or twice before. It’s a thing of familiar regard.”

That makes us purse our lips. Sudden worry bubbling up.

“She never lied to us.” Tasii adds to the sudden quiet. “Her… well her personality and worry and fear was all honest. Is there the chance you like… detained or scared her at some point?”

Zigdara thinks on that, “No. I’ve managed the temple in Lyttoral for the past two decades. And before that… Lyttoral is not like Arudia. My work as an apprenticed duenna and street guardian were uneventful save one or two very specific encounters. All of which I can safely say she was not involved with.”

“You said you’ve only seen an expression like that a few times though?” Kque interjects. “Could you explain those to us so we can get some context, please?”

The big woman sighs. “Once or twice when a duenna or… other such person was caught with one of the temple males. Emarial wore something close but… different when I visited her alone a few weeks back. And…” She turns to look at us, almost an embarrassed look on her face.

We can’t help it, we giggle together. “Well… yeah. Of course. You terrified us more than we can explain.”

That helps her settle a bit, leaning shoulder into wall in consideration. “When I found Ina where I thought another should be. I… Your expression has sat heavy in my mind for a very long time as I tried to understand what all it meant.”

Our mirth sours a bit. “Sorry, Zigdara. That… we wish we could have saved you all these past months of pain and guilt.”

She shakes her head. “As I’ve come to understand, you were right to hide yourself from both myself and others. But this Rahdian… It could have simply been from her encounter with the duenna of the city. Misplaced worries are difficult to shake until solidly refused.”

We nod. “We’re deciding how much trust we should put in an Arudian duenna’s explanations of events. And, that lead duenna we demanded hasn’t arrived yet…”

“This might have been something they wanted the Doyans to speak with you about at today's Conclave.” Jevita murmurs, leaning heavily into Kque still.

We sigh and nod. “Probably. Fuck, that’s unfortunate.”

“You had more important things to do, loves.” Yrelia assures us.

Loves. The two of us can’t help but… but only barely hide a shudder at the plurality in her word there as we nod. “Let’s just hope they arrive sooner, rather than later. I’d hate to have them waiting to speak with us after we’re dreaming.”

After that our conversation drifts into topics we have little to add to. Talks of Kque’s mother continuing help with one of our guests, and how Thodep will probably be a wonderful addition to the effort. Jevita offers little and we can tell something about that bothers her a ton, so we make sure to include ourselves in the embrace that Kque’s kept her wrapped in. So very careful to avoid all those glyphs that hiss across her skin.

Rahdian takes her time, which is wonderful. And despite a little worry that she may need food, we keep to our word and let her come to us when ready. But before that, there comes another knock from the front door, and we meet the two arrivals with Zigdara.

Grand Doyan Boletii, and of course at her side is the wretched Matron of Rell. Weird arm that seems to thrum with… somethings while the woman's eyes dance in scarlet harmony to it.

“High Duenna,” The Grand Doyan intones steadily, hiding her own worry at the merger she sees in us. “It has come to our attention that there was some… miscommunication and possible overreach in regards to–”

We sigh and raise a hand gently, a silent request to pause. Which she takes.

“Come in out of the cold, Grand Doyan.” We offer, stepping back and letting Zigdara open the door fully. “No reason to have this discussion on the front steps.” Then our eyes dart to Veletross. “And… Matron Veletross. What brings you along with her tonight?”

“Simply giving company, advice and protection to a dear ally of mine.” The Matron of Rell smirks.

The smaller spirit would have missed it, had the larger’s fury not tilted into curiosity. An offer of another ally? But… also a warning?

No, we already beat her once. And that was while we were trying to be careful. If the cunt has to know that our restraint before would disappear tonight. What with so many beloved souls about our home.

Then… huh. Who would the Grand Doyan of the Academy need protecting from?

Such questions rumble through our thought’s songs as we all move to a side room with comfortable chairs and couches.

“Was this discussed at the Conclave we missed?” Is our first question.

Boletii settles into her seat and nods. “In part. Yes. But not the blockading off of this section, that was to be left up to your discretion after a messenger was sent to inform you of the event and gain your considerations. As well as inquiries as to if you knew this Sun Spoken.”

We quirk an eyebrow, “Considerations? Not our command or approval?”

She shakes her head. “The role of High duenna is… more of a ceremonial title in these matters. The Doyans still have the authority over the city duenna since a Sun Spoken will likely not come into the role with understanding or experience in managing such a large swath of guardians.”

We lean forward. “Of course, but… no messenger arrived. Why is that?”

Boletii purses her lips, “To be honest, I’m not certain, and my inquiries have been met with silence that worries me.”

We quirk our head. “Oh? Are our enemies already starting to test our tolerances?”

Boletii sighs and shrugs. “Perhaps, I’ll discover in tomorrow’s Conclave if our duenna captains mean to offer naught but excuses and half answers. To remove any of them for this it’ll take a majority vote, and if my fellow Doyans don’t call for or support it then… It could mean worse is coming.”

“Such as?”

“My removal as High Doyan, possibly even my seat.” She intones with more calm than we expect. “Which is why I came to ask you to make sure that your presence is felt at tomorrow’s Conclave.”

“A show of strength and support?” We raise an eyebrow.

“It will also make for a wonderful threat to any who would consider upending the peace you’ve forced.” The Matron finally adds.

Boletii is more than happy to succeed to Veletross, and it takes a minor adjustment of our on considerations that despite outward appearances to remember that the Matron is the High Doyan’s elder and sponsor.

We turn an annoyed gaze to her. “Of course it would. We miss one day of this and some at that meeting have chosen to test our patience and resolve in this. The best we can hope for is incompetence. We understand this. So why not, if we’re sitting here as allies, discuss openly why you’ve chosen to visit our home, Matron?”

She smirks. “For all the reasons I said before, and this. I’ve placed three Murtaziq to guard our beloved sleeping Sun Spoken, and already they’ve noticed… interesting stirrings about that home.”

The fury and flashbacks brim past our Hetaera mask in a way that we guess make our eyes blaze and voice turn dangerously melodic.

“Such as?”

She shrugs, but never lets that infuriating smile waver. “Unsavory sorts seem to be watching the home, and one even thought to approach early on. Fled before my women could subdue and restrain her for questioning.”

“Who do you think they are?” We press, “And working for?”

“If I had to venture a guess… other Murtaziq.” She replies. “The availability of their like is suddenly quite low. Many of my sources point to many wealthy patrons purchasing up the services of any they can these past weeks.”

We can’t shift our glower. “Many are gathering specialized guardians, most likely in response to our sudden and unavoidable freeing of those bearing the Maktaba.”

“Protecting their estates with women they feel might just be capable of dealing with a Sun Spoken should she decide to press for more.” The Matron nods. “Foolish, honestly. Anyone they’ve hired would tell them as such if they’d seen you that night, only taking their employer's coin until the danger approaches.”

“Which is why we wanted to personally arrive and take this opportunity to speak.” Boletii interjects before our roiling reply can manifest. “Understand, in full, what the merged wills of Sun Spoken and Weaver would recommend.”

We lean back and consider… Well, not how much we can trust them. The answer is none. At all. But… we can understand them, at least a little. And any information we give will be used to further their interests. The goal is to make sure they always consider allying with us to be their best path to that.

“We’ve important business to handle tonight, which could very likely halt us from attending tomorrow’s Conclave.” We muse aloud. “And we’d rather not need to imply that any such testing of our patience will bring to bear our full attention or disinterest. But… We’re considering sending an envoy in our stead. A woman of knowledge and understanding to speak with our voice whose judgment we trust.”

Boletii nods, “That sounds like a good plan, depending on the woman. Who were you planning on sending?”

We turn to face our duenna, who's been silently watching over these exchanges. “Could we trust you to convey this request to the Lady of this manor before or at first light?”

Zigdara nods, and I turn back to find the satisfying look of annoyed disgust upon the Matron’s face.

“You can’t be serious.” Veletross murmurs.

“We are. Lady Ophrit is deft and bold. Smarter than you’d ever admit and charming in a way that is hard to resist.”

Veletross sighs, “Why not request my Heiress do this instead?”

“Because she has little patience for Arudian politics, and deserves to pursue goals in spheres she enjoys.”

The matron purses her lips, but eventually nods and relaxes into bemused annoyance. “It truly is a shame, she was quite the sight when she found it to her liking and focus.”