“Arrived in Accolade, have we?” Seriara said, a yawn following before she appeared on Glacia’s lap. “At last we can settle for a moment, recuperate, and press on.”
The crunching of crackers between Glacia’s pointed teeth made it difficult for her to hear. She responded regardless, assuming what Seriara had said. “I’m having second thoughts on all of this. Everyone we’ve encountered so far has been powerful in their own way, while enemies have knocked me to the side. Useless as ever. One swipe from the Ash took me out. And one kick knocked me off balance.”
The statement drew Seriara’s attention. “I’ve never heard that kind of talk come from you before.” She flew into Glacia’s vision. “When that happens, you don’t beat yourself up over it. You get stronger and try again.”
“Miraculously getting stronger is easier said than done. That guy and the dragons all have massive amounts of ether, and I’m an ant in comparison. The old woman taught me and the other girl how to fight a bit, but her techniques seem only fit for enemies slightly larger than her size.”
Seriara thrashed her wings, crossing her arms the best she could at the same time. “I hope you’re not thinking what I think you are.”
“Absolutely not. I will not ask him for help. All that ether he has goes to waste because he never uses it.” Glacia knew precisely what Seriara wanted to hear. Anything against an idea that would include Infernus. Tsunashi’s plan came back to her. It was her best shot at defeating the Ash right now. Knowing the specifics of it, she figured it’d be best to keep Seriara in the dark. “Besides, I know how you feel about him, and I’m trying to be vigilant.”
“A fine decision. You’re reminding me of your mother and how she’d analyze people. Hopefully, you will become as great of a judge of character as she.”
Glacia’s eye twitched. Yet, she couldn’t judge the man who killed her! She gulped down the remnants of her snack. “To add to that, I’ll concede training on a vacant stomach. I finally get out of confinement for some fresh air. I’m sure the food out here is better than the gruel back at camp. That means I’m eating anything I can afford.”
“What could you possibly afford, Glacia? The Tarragon don’t pay you.”
“Well… Yeah, but that doesn’t mean I don’t have money!” Glacia glanced into a bag on her belt, counting eight Drax. She groaned. “At least I can smell something with flavor!” Glacia leaned back on a bench before a crystal lake. A wall extended from the waters surrounding a town built upon a hill. “No rush. Accolade is a good stop. We’re both out of range of Infernus’ ether and we’re in a position where dragons won’t attack. The food and scenery are a bonus. A ‘vacation’ so to speak, before I make my way to Elysia.” Seriara jumped over Glacia’s shoulder and wrapped herself around her neck.
“Impressive observation. Extra points for knowing that, even though this is your first time away from Tarragon. Though preparation is a suitable tool, it will do you no good if you’re not skilled enough to take advantage. While training would be a good idea, as cornering the Ash will not be so easy. Fighting an abomination that can destroy villages single-handedly will prove daunting. Assistance might be required, but not from that Infernus pretender. We should make arrangements to contact the ruling family of Accolade. Though they aren’t Tarragon, they have just as deep a history with dragons.”
Glacia shoved the wrapper into her bag. “No. They’ll only get in the way or ruin the advantage of surprise that I’ll have if it’s just me or even a small team. Knowing these nobles, they’ll send an entire battalion to the slaughter and accomplish nothing. If they could tell me a weakness, that would be enough.” Seriara abruptly flew into her vision, staring eye to eye.
“Manpower would not be as beneficial as knowledge, yes. But we should not turn it down if offered. The libraries here contain centuries of research on Dragons. Information would be easy to come by. So, gaining access should be our next goal. After we touch base with them and explain our visit, that is. It seems they’ve been waiting for you to do so.”
“How would you know?”
“If you’ve not regarded…” Seriara flew behind Glacia, landing on a pillar near a crowd of citizens. Beside the crowd, two armed men clad in light armor with a spiraling logo on the chest obscured themselves behind a few of the several pillars that led uphill. “They’ve been monitoring you. White hair isn’t very common for a human, unless you meet other standards. It’s the sign of a Gardenia. The guards let you in without the slightest disturbance and this village is one of the most secure in the Drakaina, but they will watch you. Seeking an audience would prove just as simple as our walk in.”
“You know a lot about this place. Can I assume my mother spent some time in this village? Is that how you’re so acquainted with their protocol?”
Seriara chuckled. “There were a plethora of times I’ve had to drag her from this place. It was a home away from home. She and the ruling family were a close-knit bunch. The daughters would regularly invite her here just to talk about her exploits.”
Glacia’s eyebrows furrowed. “Exploits I never heard of. Relations I never knew about. All I hear from you are tales of her past, but never about her. How long will you hide her past from me? Is there a reason I can’t learn about the person who raised me as a child?” Her voice grew louder, drawing the attention of passing citizens.
“As long as it takes to keep you from doing anything reckless.”
Leaning forward, Glacia clasped her hands together, squeezing her fingers between one another. “Then nothing changes. If you, Lavia, and everyone else won’t tell me, I’ll ring everything out of the bastard that killed her.”
“Revenge won’t fix anything. Lucielia is gone, Glacia! Killing your father will change nothing that has already passed.”
“He stabbed her right in front of me! It’s because of him she’s dead, it’s because of him I’ve been a prisoner of this crumbling order! I don’t care about the responsibility of a title I never asked for! Nothing matters until he’s dead!” She paused, her neck hanging low, until she inhaled, then slowly exhaled. A vibration shook through the bench, leading Glacia to turn and see Izuki sitting next to her. She rested both of her hands on the handle of a round mace twice her size.
“Mind if I sit here?” She asked, a blue glint passing through her wide pupils. “You’ll look less crazy talking to yourself if you have someone around.”
Glacia turned away. “Go ahead. For the record, there’s nothing wrong with thinking out loud. Hearing your thoughts out loud is nice, then you can realize how ridiculous you sound sometimes.”
“Heh, I wish my sister could hear you say that. She’s a woman of few words and always makes hasty decisions.” Tilting the mace around, she examined herself in the reflection above its taped handle. “We came to Accolade because of that. A sudden decision with no heads up. Then when we get here, people are talking about how people are being abducted in the night with no trace of evidence.” The woman saw Glacia’s head twitch and slowly twist to her. “Men, women, and children disappearing over the last few months, and not a single person has a clue where.”
“So it was pure chance you ran into us?”
“Our coworker rants on about someone matching Tsunashi’s appearance. Even went as far as passing written details about him between associates of ours. That we arrived when we did is a bonus, one might say. Two birds with one stone.”
“I see.” Glacia’s face turned grim, now leaning in the woman’s direction. “These disappearances? How has that not been widespread news? People have been disappearing for months and the guards have nothing. No ripped clothes, signs of struggle, or even records of witnesses? I thought this place was safe.”
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Izuki acknowledged the question with a shrug. “It’s not why we’re here. The village’s troubles are their own until they decide how much this mystery is worth in Drax to them.”
Glacia leaned back, pulling her hood over her head. “Checks out. Doing things for the benefit of others is a waste of time unless there’s money involved. Expected of a Zenith mercenary, but odd at the same time.” She saw a grin form on Izuki’s face. “I’ve heard of your lot before. High-class mercs, not associated with any guild. Rarely bat an eye at a problem unless the fixer’s pockets are so bright you can see the Drax shine from a block away.” Glacia’s barrage continued, developing into anger the more she went. “Do you have no sympathy for those lost? What if it was your sister who went missing? Then what? Why not nip the bud and solve the problem if you have time to do so? Clearly have the time to be sitting on a bench talking about it rather than doing anything.” Izuki shrugged again, infuriating her further. “I’ve heard stories of some mercenaries with the abilities to rival members of the most prestigious of guilds. Azure Cross or even the Sol Impact guild. I’d thought better of Zenith, but it seems you are an example of the useless ones.” To Glacia’s surprise, the woman’s demeanor didn’t change. The opposite occurred, noticing her shoulders dip.
“Guilds are no better than mercenaries. Where mercs get paid an upfront commission and cuts after a job’s done, contractors compensate guilds via the kingdom they’re tied to. Which typically results in better wages for the guild and a hefty bonus for the members who carried out the commission, since it’s all coming from the kingdom.” She flipped the mace onto her shoulder. “What kind of hole you been hiding in if you didn’t know that? You’re clearly associated with someone in that getup. And they sent you out here alone? Either they have some gigantic balls to risk their rep or…. are you one of the useless ones? The one they sent to die?”
Glacia bit her lip as she stood. A storm of anger swelled into her chest. Bitch! She wrapped her fingers around her bracelet, tightening her grip until Seriara appeared.
“Don’t. We have a job to do. This distraction is beneath you.”
Izuki laughed. “You’re just as easy to piss off as Tsunashi says. If you don’t plan on doing anything about it, sit down. Now you look crazier than you did when you were talking to yourself.”
Glacia’s tightened fist quivered, small bits of ice gathering along her gauntlet.
“With the information she presented, it’s clear she’s knowledgeable of the workings of the world.” Seriara hovered around the woman, examining her from head to toe. “Question her. They may have information about the recent months’ happenings.”
Glacia huffed, loosened her hand, and sat down. Her rage remained, talking through her gritting teeth. “For months? Right?” The smirk on the woman’s face didn’t help ease the tension in her body. “Have there been other rumors recently that you’ve heard? Like about that creature that showed up after the dragons attacked Morath?”
“Information usually ain’t free. But you know what? The show you just put on was good enough that I won’t charge.” Her fingers tapped on her knee, conducting electric sparks with each tap. “Yeah, I’ve heard of the monster out there and how it circles the area, attacking anyone and anything. No one's got the guts to stop it. So it’s been attacking willy nilly with no repercussions.” She balled her hand into a fist and bumped her chest. “And that’s why Zenith is here. Because who better take down a terror than money hungry big shots like us, right?”
Glacia raised an eyebrow. There’s a bounty out for the Ash? If I catch it for the Tarragon, then kill it, I can get some money for the road to Elysia. “Someone's paying you to stop it then? Who are they, and how much is the payout?”
Izuki jerked her neck back as if surprised. “Whoa there! You’d rather not know about me? I just said no one's got the guts to take it down and you’re worried about the fixer? Well, too bad! Izuki and Izaki, the dynamic duo, sisters in arms, and the best damn anima users on the continent, are taking it! Not so pleased to meet you!”
“Ego stroked idiots don’t deserve my attention. Let’s not waste time speaking to each other more than we need.” A glance at the woman and Glacia noticed she’d been staring into space. Entranced by something Glacia couldn’t see. The woman shook her head, scratching it quickly after, and murmured.
“Too loud.”
A jolt of blue lightning sprang from her body, making Seriara to rush back to Glacia. The bolt landed on the ground before her, spurring Glacia to spring her rapier. Once the bright light cleared, a figure showed from within. There appeared her sister, Izaki.
“My bad, sis.” Izuki said. “The brat got me hyped that I sorta forgot you were sleeping. Are you rested at least?”
Izaki responded with a thumbs up.
“Twins?” Seriara asked. She floated closer to them, before gasping and retreating to Glacia. “Their ether is monstrous! Even when divided! What are they?”
Met them on the way here. I’ll explain how later. Seriara’s bewilderment left her just as stunned as the crowd that viewed the spectacle. The guards revealed themselves from the pillars, spears in hand. They rushed toward the bench before the red-haired twin appeared before them and flashed what looked to be a medallion.
“We’re Izuki and Izaki from Zenith. No trouble here. Izaki was just waking up from a nap.”
The guards stared at the child-sized woman, then at the medallion. Both returning at ease. “Apologies, ma’am, but I have to ask that you please not cause a ruckus or scene like this during the rest of your stay. The people will become more uneasy.”
“It was unexpected.” Izuki said. “Won’t happen again.”
As Izuki spoke with the guards, Glacia returned her rapier to her wrist and gave Izaki, now calmly resting on the bench with the mace in her hands, another look. “If you’re both here, where are the others?”
Izaki readjusted her hat, then looked at the watch on her wrist. Deadpan, she stood and turned around. “Izuki, the meeting!”
“Ah! Right!” She turned back to the guards. “Like I said, it won’t happen again! Hop off!” Twirling away, her hair lashing the two guards before she walked back toward the bench. “Let’s get to it. You too, your ‘highness’. Tsunashi asked me to keep you around so you’re coming.”
“Hmph.” Glacia stepped beside her. “Just met him and doing exactly what he says?”
Izuki twirled her hair. “He’s a dolt, but that tremendous ether is nothing to ignore. The potential is there; he just needs to learn how to channel it.” She pulled a cigarette from her pocket and lit the end with her finger, then placed it between her teeth. “Kind of cute, too.”
Glacia’s shoulders slumped as her eyes rolled. “Ugh.”
“Well, excuse me for having tastes. It’s not common to find a dark-skinned human in these parts. Most of the time they’re Minhki.” She inhaled on the cigarette.
“So, because he’s exotic?” Glacia asked, crossing her arms.
Walking ahead, Izuki exhaled smoke and looked over her shoulder. “Would it make you feel better if I said yes? If I’m rolling into some claimed territory, better tighten your grip on him before you lose him, princess.”
The comment flustered Glacia, provoking confusion in her mind and frustration on her face. Idiot just spouts whatever from her mouth. Second person I’ve met who’s just as toxic as what she inhales. Izaki brushed past her, returning Glacia to her senses.
“You coming, princess?”
***
The trio walked through Accolade, passing by mercenaries who walked through the village with their weapons sheathed. The architecture of the buildings stood out; homes tightly squeezed together to where there were no alleyways. Buildings with vast crowds in front of them seemed most important. Glacia watched people strolling with scrolls or books in hand.
Knowledge is highly valued here. As the thought crossed through her mind, she’d seen children rounded up in an area occupied with training dummies, with adults cheering on their performance.
With nothing but sticks in their hands, they struck at the sound of a command. Few in sync, most trying to find it. In some ways it reminded her of Dragon’s Steppe, the Tarragon city, but she could clearly see where things differed. People smiling, assembled together and organized despite the troubles of the outside world.
This is what it’s like outside of that hell. It’s so full of life. So peaceful. A swelling of emotions built up in her gut that rapidly traveled to her eyes. She wiped away the burn, noticing a man beside who aided the children smiling at her. She turned away, unsure of the attention she may have been attracting.
They had arrived at the gates. A burly man with his red beard reaching as far as the crest on his chest approached them. Izuki waved her medallion without stopping, repulsing the guard.
“We’re almost there.” Izuki said. “I’d say get ready, but you seem tough enough for whatever might happen. Hope you don’t bruise easy otherwise.”
Glacia had no thoughts of the comment, but its mystery made her stomach churn. They approached a building that looked like a beat up shack. You can’t be serious? Is it another stable? Or some warehouse for goons? They stepped onto the dark wood, Izaki pushing the door open and letting the two of them in. Voices became clear as they passed the door, followed by the sound of rough housing. A few more steps and they were suddenly in a bright room, tables spread around the sides, and two men laying flat on the ground. Tanka rested at a bar, her eyebrows raising upon seeing Glacia at the door. Next to Tanka was an Elf girl in a maid outfit and bomber jacket with a notebook and pen in hand. People spread along the edges of the room, chairs and tables pulled back as far as possible. Another stepped backwards into Glacia’s vision, a punch delivered straight to his nose by none other than Tsunashi, who yelled.
“Step up and get put down, punk asses! All that shit talk and three of you can’t back it up!”
Glacia felt a unique energy from him. No longer the calm and collected man he’d presented himself as before. The crowd cheered in celebration of his victory, raising glasses and gulping down their drinks. Over all the ruckus, one thing rung out as clear as the room itself. An Elf woman hollering over the room’s excitement, her voice echoing off of the maple colored walls and floors.
“Welcome back to Infinity!”