The entryway was a pleasant room. Cushioned chairs lined most of the walls, and in them sat several women in various states of undress. They were pretty woman, Fereni, Fershya, and even a Jöln were here. Whatever this establishment was, it seemed the women were very comfortable here. Looking behind her, Celeste found Gardinal was much less so.

Compared to the streets, the inside of the building had a floral scent wafting through it, likely from the several dozen bouquets of roses. Celeste smiled at them, many of them were wasting away, but it was nice to find a home filled with life. At the back of the large room, a staircase led up to the second floor.

“I’m sorry little girl, but you’re a little too young to be…” A slender, beautiful Fershya woman began to gently chide Celeste for a moment before being cut off by a stronger voice.

“She’s here for me Renira.” Tabitha walked down the stairs and grinned as she saw Celeste. “And earlier than I expected.” She wore a simple hempen men’s tunic, with loose trousers tucked into fine leather boots. Celeste smiled back at her.

“Mistress Tabitha, it is fortunate to find you here. Sent smiles upon us this day.” Celeste moved past the pretty Fershya woman to meet with Tabitha. A large hand grasped Celeste’s shoulder from behind, pulling her back.

“What did you just call that one?” Gardinal asked with a growl. Tabitha shifted her gaze from Celeste to Gardinal with a questioning look.

“You must be Origdall’s little brother.” Tabitha chuckled. “Your temper matches his description.”

Gardinal pushed past Celeste towards Tabitha. “Now you listen here girl…” he trailed off as all the women in the room rose, small knives appearing in all their hands and pointing at him.

“For the sake of your brother, one of the few good men I’ve met, calm down Brother Gardinal.” Tabitha wore a smirk. Gardinal had that tension in his muscles, the one Celeste had grown to know meant he was ready to fight. Celeste reached up and placed a hand on Gardinal’s arm, letting a tiny bit of her light trickle out of her and into him. It seemed to help, immediately relaxing his muscles.

“Tabitha, I would not have you provoke him, he only intends to keep me safe.” Celeste admonished Tabitha after Gardinal was seen to.

“Prophetess, we are leaving here. Now.” Gardinal barked, grabbing her arm once more and turning to leave. Celeste pulled her arm free with a tug.

“My invitation for you to remain outside stands Brother Gardinal, but I have need to speak with Mistress Tabitha, and you shall respect that.” Celeste locked eyes with him, and Gardinal stared back in shock. Blessedly he stayed silent.

“You know, Brother Gardinal, a few of my girls quite enjoy the company of burly Khazimi men. I’m sure they’d keep you busy for a fair price if you wanted.” Tabitha grinned at him, and Gardinal glowered back.

“Not on your life girl if you…”

“Or perhaps a young man? I have a few places that…” Tabitha teased Gardinal, but for a moment they shared a look and seemed to share an understanding. Celeste took her turn to furrow her brow. What were they talking about?

Gardinal forced a cough, then shifted to one side of the room and stood at attention. He still eyed the women in the room nervously, but they had long since re-concealed their blades.

“So, princess, you come to a decision?” Tabitha asked. Celeste felt a tightness in her throat. What had Tabitha just called her? She was no princess and Tabitha shouldn’t be calling her that. Celeste’s heart beat hard, but she forced it to calm before responding.

“You may address me as Your Radiance, or The Prophetess, Mistress Tabitha.” Celeste corrected her. “Perhaps in time, should we become friends, it would be acceptable to call me by my name.” They locked eyes for a moment, before Tabitha slowly nodded. The woman seemed uncharacteristically unsure. Celeste felt Valleresa’s hand touching her arm for support. They had worked out that little speech together last night. She had to show Tabitha that she meant business. “Now, as for your proposal. I have prayed on it and I believe we need some clarification before we move forward.”

Royal Road is the home of this novel. Visit there to read the original and support the author.

“Oh? And what do you need clarified? Your Radiance.” Tabitha added the last part seemingly as an after thought.

“What are the terms of our agreement?” Celeste asked, according to Valleresa that was what her father would always ask in negotiations.

“The terms girl?” Tabitha asked with a scoff, but Gardinal coughed at the improper address and Tabitha shot him a sharp look. “Here is what I offer you. I will give you full disclosure of all the information I get. And trust me, many a loose lips pass through the Red Curtains of Southshore. As well, when it comes time for you to move up in the world, I will support you in both coin, and muscle.” Tabitha ran a hand though her long straight black hair, revealing the black teardrop tattoo for a moment. “I have a feeling you will be needing quite a bit of the latter to watch your back.”

“And what do you want in return?” Celeste asked. This is what had left her nervous the past week.

“Freedom Your Radiance. Just freedom. I want to be left alone out here, to do as I will with my domain. No guard patrols, no tax officials, none of it. You can have inside the walls and the rest of the kingdom, but I want Southshore.”

Celeste stood there, in the center of the room with so many eyes on her. The women still seated around seemed to be measuring her up, and Tabitha awaited an answer.

“I can not agree to these terms.” Celeste answered. The air grew thick with tension as Tabitha narrowed her eyes. Tabitha went to speak, but Celeste beat her to it. “I do not want your information, nor your ill-gotten funds. I have no want or need for your arms as Southshore has had enough bloodshed. Instead, I offer you my new terms. You will help me, Tabitha. Not because of an advantageous deal. But because I know that you are a good person.

You will keep the streets of Southshore safe. No more muggings, no more gang wars. You will set an example. The whole of this city will look like that tower you call home, a place of respite, peace, and hope. And lastly, you will toss every single one of those wretched instruments of pain into the bay. There is no need for them in our city.” Celeste finished her prepared speech, Arabella and Valleresa on either side of her now lending her their support.

Tabitha tapped her foot, a look on her face that Celeste couldn’t quite read.

“I paid good money for those weapons. To his brother no less.” Tabitha pointed to Gardinal. That was all they had planned. Celeste felt a moment of panic, then she noticed something. The women in the room looked upon their conversation intently. Women of all ages, of all peoples.

“What will you do then when one of those weapons gets into the hands of one of your enemies? What if a rival street gang manages to steal another container? Do you think the violence will stay just between gang members? Mistress Tabitha, how many daughters, sisters, and wives must die before you realize that every blade and bolt brought into Terminia is a mistake.” Celeste finished, her chest rising and falling heavily.

Tabitha looked ready to bite back but the women in the room around them began muttering their agreements. Celeste knew these women would understand, they were not warriors here, despite their weapons.

“Well then, without weapons how do you expect me get the rest of Southshore under control? By singing songs and hugging everyone?” Tabitha sputtered back. She was off balance now, Celeste realized. Tabitha was not used to her women disagreeing with her. “How am I supposed to get rid of these other slum lords? Or deal with this cult that is growing in the shadow of your own temple?”

“Show them what you offer. Show them how much better their life could be. The mule that climbs the mountain for the carrot carries more than that who fears the switch.” Celeste stepped forward, and gently placed a hand on Tabitha’s arm. At first the woman flinched, but she let Celeste keep her hand there. “Feed them Tabitha, care for them. Show them goodness, and they shall come to you.” Celeste felt an energy pulse through her as she spoke, as though she was perfectly in tune with the will of the First Mother. It felt right. This is what she had been born to do. To make a difference in people’s lives.

Tabitha looked up at her, bit a lip, then spoke. “It seems we have reached an accord, Your Radiance.” Tabitha sighed, looking to her women who all looked back in turn with expectant gazes. “I will pull my people back and give them orders to only defend what we have; we will not expand by force any longer.” Tabitha shook her head and looked to each her women in turn. She seemed to really care about each and every one. Their opinions truly mattered to her. “This better work Prophetess. Or else I won’t be able to stick this out for long.” Tabitha snapped at her, but with little vigor behind it.

“It will. And my friend, please call me Celeste.”