Caeileera

Mom? MOM?!

This was further underscored by Savri almost flying from her armchair and into her mom’s open arms.

‘Mom!’ she repeated.

‘Hi, Savri,’ Malika responded, tears flowing down her face. ‘You have no idea how much I missed you, my daughter.’

‘I’m so sorry,’ the medic wept. ‘For disappearing. For not looking for you when I came back. I j- just thought that after three hundred years… it would just open a lot of wounds…’

‘You have nothing to be sorry about. You are my daughter, and I will love you… always.’

That completely broke Savri down.

‘Let’s give you two some privacy,’ Ireela said and led them to Sav’s bedroom.

I saw that Aki was also on the verge of tears so I nodded to Ren and Lilyth and led her to our room.

Lilyth

Truth be told, the scene almost made me break down too, but I think at that point I was out of tears. There was just emptiness inside. Still, when Ren joined me after I sat down I was happy for her presence.

‘You know…,’ the Viscount began. ‘If Vanek was to be believed, you would think that the young Aki, hell… all demons, were these horrible monsters.’

‘I know one or two who are utter dicks, but that's a personal problem I feel,’ I said. ‘Though I can't imagine Inquisitor Motherfucker was happy to learn you were married to Lady Malika.’

The Viscount laughed.

‘Wish I thought of that one. Yeah… his arguments kind of died when I introduced him to her. I’m sorry to say that Ser Arcurius but I really wanted to just hang the four of you for what happened in Dan-Hem.’

‘It’s no problem, my lord,’ the former Temple Dragoon said, shame in his voice. ‘What we did was murder, pure and simple. Lilyth here opened my eyes to that. Now that I have met Aki…’

He simply shook his head.

‘Rare to see a man of honour these days. In your case, I am glad I didn't execute you.’

‘Thank you, my lord. I promise not to disappoint you.’

‘I’m sure you won’t,’ the Viscount nodded and turned to Anika. ‘My dear, I am sorry to be blunt, but since we will soon be eating dinner I know about your… affliction. I have seen beings from your kind before, so there is no need for you to hide if that is something you wanted to do.’

‘I understand, my lord,’ Anika, looking slightly taken aback, responded. ‘But I will still eat separately. I find my diet… unpleasant and I’d rather not disgust you with me eating what I have to when I have trouble stomaching it myself.’

‘I understand. Then I will not force you. You deserve your privacy.’

‘Thank you. If I may… me being a ghûl is not a problem?’

‘I don’t know… have you eaten any of my subjects?’ the Viscount smiled.

‘Uhh… no.’

‘Then it is not. I welcome people of all races here in Ror-Bhyk so long as they follow the law.’

‘My lord, if I may…’ I began. ‘I am a bit… out of touch with local politics. Where does the prejudice against demonkind come from?’

‘Religious doctrine,’ Arcarius answered absentmindedly before catching himself. ‘I’m sorry, my lord.’

‘No need to,’ the Viscount shook his head. ‘You are the expert here. Please continue.’

‘I wish I wasn't, but… according to the Church, demons were all spawned by an evil devil, and should be all eradicated before they corrupt the pure races. Same with visitors from other realms like the Pale Badlands.’

‘They got the part about The Sun, ri…’ I muttered and then trailed off, realising I said something I REALLY shouldn't have.

‘I can see your story will be more interesting than I imagined, miss Lilyth.’

‘You have no idea, my Lord,’ Ren said weakly.

‘Don’t worry,’ he gave us a reassuring smile. ‘I have some… questions… but those can wait until after dinner. Normally, I wouldn't pry, but since it involves Savri… well… I want to know the kind of people the daughter of my lady love runs with. You must understand.’

Caeileera

We spent the dinner in a reasonably pleasant atmosphere. It was hard not to notice the wary looks Lilyth and Rennie were giving the Viscount, though the man himself seemed oblivious to them. After the meal we retired to the salon, it was time for our meeting with the noble.

‘So my friends,’ the Viscount began. ‘Explain to me, please how did a riftling, a “fugitive” from Dan-Hem and an enforcer to the Yamaoka clan meet my step-daughter. I would also appreciate you illuminating me on why at least two of you four are not the same people who existed here until a few weeks ago, or do you honestly expect me to believe that an orphan girl from a poor village suddenly acquired an Abyss-forged artificial hand and learned magic? Normally, I would shrug it off. Maybe you’ve been in a dungeon, but then we have Caeileera. A person I have very good intelligence about, and both of those happen to mention you always wearing a certain mask and having wings. And do you know what none of the reports ever talked about, my dear? You being able to use magic.’

The story has been taken without consent; if you see it on Amazon, report the incident.

Fuck.

‘This alone would be interesting, but then we have the incident in Len-Cas, where two people who should have nothing in common with each other were acting like friends. They were also with two more people who were massive mysteries. My step-daughter and… well… miss Lilyth. Stories of Riftseeker Savri have been reaching my ears, but you, my “elf” friend appear to be a powerful mage, and yet… the first mention I have of you is from Zel-Vyme. Your mystery deepens further by you possessing a Blade of the Black Rose… which you eschew in favour of knives that are also magic, and that armour of yours… that's dragon leather, isn't it? So… please explain to me… who the fuck are you people? Oh… I would also appreciate you telling me how it is that you have been seen hanging out with the goddess of Air?’

Oh, boy.

‘Are you sure you want to know the truth?’ Lilyth asked with an evil smile.

‘Yes,’ The Viscount said.

‘The whole truth?’

‘Yes! Out with it woman!’

‘Very well. Warnings were given. Here we go…’

The only bit we skipped was Lilyth hurting the Sun. There was a wicked satisfaction in giving the noble exactly what he wanted. We were also able to provide him with plenty of evidence for our claims. I could tell that by the time we got to our stay in the Abyss, the Viscount really regretted not heeding Lilyth's warnings. Learning one of your subjects is a direct descendant of Zekuthran the Asshole will do that. And then we got to the meeting with Lady Madness, one of the most dreaded deities in existence.

Malika took in the news that this Savri wasn’t her Savri surprisingly well.

‘You are still my daughter,’ she simply said and hugged her.

Since we were getting to the bit about Kojiro’s atrocities, Ireela excused herself. Since that part also involved Lilyth becoming the angel of Ereshkigal and us swearing ourselves into her service, let’s just say that the Viscount was as white as a sheet of paper by the time we got to my and Ren’s trip to Lin-Vyme.

‘And there you have it,’ Lilyth said with a pleasant look on her face.

‘Miss… no Ser Lilyth,’ the Viscount said, barely controlling his voice. ‘I knew you were setting me up when you warned me, but all I can say is… you win this round. If I may have one request… can I see that that sword of yours?’

‘Aki, if you could?’ Lilyth asked.

Lilyth

‘Exquisite…’ the Viscount sighed in awe upon examining my sword. ‘And this really is Tyrric’s sword.’

‘You’ve heard of him?’ I asked furrowing my brow.

‘He’s an ancestor of mine, not directly related, but he was… I won’t bore you with genealogy.’

He resheathed the sword, handed it back to me and said:

‘This is a fine blade. Use it well.’

I was surprised at the relief I felt.

‘I was afraid you were going to say it is some family heirloom and you want it back.’

‘You earned it fair and square, Lilyth of Terra,’ he smiled. ‘And if I understand you correctly, there should be a copy of it somewhere around here?’

‘I wouldn't recommend going to retrieve it though. God only knows what horrors are down there.’

‘Yes. And it is best not to wake those that are asleep. Though I think it might be prudent to launch an expedition to that Y-Ram of yours and deal with the Tooth Horrors. Though this is a subject for later… and judging by your and your friends' expressions - much later.’

I looked at Aki and Caeileera. I imagined the sheer terror I saw on their faces was also visible on mine.

‘I think this Löwe character takes priority,’ he said. ‘I will keep feelers out for him.’

‘You are helping us?’ Ren asked in confusion.

‘Why wouldn't I? He is a threat to my lands too. While ideally, I would like you to set off after him immediately, I do recognize that after you’ve been through over the past few weeks that really would do more harm than good. You, my friends, are a valuable asset and to squander your potential would be a waste.’

The world suddenly began growing grey and hazy again and I could feel the temperature drop. I could feel that everyone suddenly grew tense and a cloud of immense fear descended upon the room. My lady was here.

‘Bear in mind, Wilhum von Caiver, that as members of the Tenebral Order, we must maintain neutrality. We will assist you in matters of general importance, but in cases of… political differences we must maintain impartiality.’

While the Viscount was initially mad at me for addressing him directly, his anger gave way to terror once he realised what was happening.

‘Our Lady welcomes everyone equally after all, which is something that every man should remember, be they commoner or a noble, and pity the man who defies her will. After all… a meeting with her could be just around the corner…’

The world regained colour and focus and I felt utterly exhausted.

‘Sorry, hon,’ I heard Ereshkigal's voice. ‘But it is best to nip some ideas in the bud.’

All it takes is all I got.

‘Unfortunately.’

Caeileera

There was a difference between the visits from Ereshkigal Rennie received and the one that the Viscount just did. Hers was a warning, his was an outright threat. And it could have been an illusion, but when Lilyth told him about how you never knew when you would die, a ghostly image of a woman appeared behind the noble’s seat, wrapped her hands around him and caressed his chin.

Is that a thin layer of ice where she touched him?

‘I-I-I will keep that in m-mind…’ the Viscount stammered out.

‘I’ll make sure he does,’ Lady Malika said as if her husband had just been told to remember to brush his teeth before bed.

I looked at her in confusion.

‘Hey…’ she reacted with a smile. ‘You kids aren’t the only ones who had dealings with gods, and they taught me one thing… you should never cross Ereshkigal. Anyway… I am satisfied with my daughter's companions. Are you, Willie?’

‘Y-yes,’ the Viscount was desperately trying to regain his composure. ‘S-so… t-the r-reason…’

‘I’ll handle that Willie. Thank you.’

I can see who is wearing the pants in that relationship. Then again… given how she at least must be around four hundred years old at…

Malika turned towards Savri.

‘So, I didn't want to overwhelm you at first, but Willie and I wanted to ensure you and your friends weren’t a threat… I mean you are. By the gods, you are a danger to everyone around you, but your intentions are good. So… Savri… would you like to meet your baby brother? Zaiven is two and…’

Malika was interrupted by a high-pitched squeal. Aki, who was comforting Lilyth, was looking at Savri’s mom with genuine admiration.

‘CanIseehimcanIseehimcanIseehimcanIseehim,’ she gabbled.