Shadows began to dance in the smaller room as Vim’s little fire grew in strength.

Oplar huffed as she hung her heavy cloak on the wall, then turned to smile at the two of us.

She wasn’t as big and burly of a woman as she had first appeared, thanks to that heavy cloak and the bags she had carried, but she was still twice my size. Not just in height, either. Her arms were nearly as wide as my waist.

Vim had once said she was a bear. I could see it, and not just because she was twice my size. She walked and looked around with a strange confidence. A firm gaze that seemed to dare the world to look back at her.

It wasn’t often anyone had such confidence, let alone a woman, in this world. Even so amongst our kind. Maybe she was like Landi?

“Tea’s in the left bag, Vim,” Oplar gestured. I turned, and found Vim had opened one of her little side-bags she had piled next to the nearby wall. He paused and went to the other.

The fact he so blatantly went to scrounging in her bags told me a few things. First, they knew each other well. Better than most. Second… she must have a peculiar taste in tea, if she wanted her own leaves and not any that were available here.

Though it wasn’t too shocking. A lot of the food and drinks here were rather… well…

Bland.

While Vim went to preparing the tea, I stood up straighter as Oplar turned to look at me. She stepped a few feet over to me, and I did my best to not let my tail twitch and move too much.

She was taller than Vim… though by only a little.

“I’ve heard a lot about you, Renn,” Oplar said.

“I’ve heard of you as well. It seems we’ve been missing each other by a few days sometimes,” I said.

Oplar smirked and nodded. “Aye we have. Such a strange thing fate is, right? To round each other so many times, so nearly.”

I nodded back. It was.

Oplar crossed her arms, and I noticed that although a bigger woman… she really wasn’t massive in frame. Vim’s arms and shoulders were bigger than hers. She was bigger than me, and taller than Vim, yet he was still bigger in frame. “I’m a bear. The two of us should be friends. We’re both creatures of the forests,” she said.

“Depends on the news you bring, I think,” I said honestly.

Oplar’s smirk went still, and then she blinked and laughed at me. “I see!” she laughed, taking no offense.

Though I had said it lightly, there was a part of me that had meant it.

She had news. And not any kind of simple news either.

The bear sighed as she gestured to the chairs near us, and I nodded as I went to join her in sitting upon them.

We were not far from the entrance of the Crypt. In one of the relatively unused front rooms that had been converted into something of a sitting area. There was a small window near the fireplace, which Vim was kneeling in front of as he made tea. The world outside was slowly becoming brighter as the sun rose higher.

Oplar sat in a similarly sized and made chair as the one I did… but only hers made noise as she did so. Telling me she wasn’t just bigger than me, she was far heavier.

“Votes on this scale haven’t happened in a while. My job right now is to deliver the news to as many members as possible. I have the twins doing the same, heading west along the coast,” Oplar said.

The twins… “So… you’re gathering votes?” I asked.

“Hm? No. The vote is to be held in two years, in Telmik, on the night of the founder’s festival,” Oplar said.

I perked up, and tried to remember the name of the festival Vim and I had been in when we were there last. That hadn’t been the name of it… had it?

“That’s the date the Society was created. It’s the same date as their religious day of feasting. It’s during the winter,” Vim said, his back to me as he continued messing with the tea and fire.

Oplar glanced at him, then back at me and smirked.

“What?” I asked her. What was that smile on her face supposed to mean?

“He had known you were about to ask about it,” she said.

Well…

Vim sighed, but said nothing more.

“Why is it being held so long from now? Won’t it take that long just to let everyone know about it?” I asked, deciding to not delve into a conversation… once again… about how Vim’s very obviously fully attuned to me. Now was not the time to enjoy such lovely topics.

“There’s more to the vote than just a simple yes and no. Without allowing discourse and debates, we’ll not reach a true census. Not for something like this. In two years we’ll have gathered enough of the Society, or at least their representatives, to hold a proper vote. If we have to we’ll then let the voting take a year or two after the initial meeting, if we must,” Oplar explained.

Ah… so they’ll likely let as many gather as possible, as to argue and debate, and then send out summaries or simply have those like her and the others travel around to tell everyone else who couldn’t, or wouldn’t, show up. To then hear and count the votes of all the rest who hadn’t, or couldn’t, gone to Telmik.

It was… an interesting way of doing it, at least.

“Who is even stupid enough to try and banish Vim from the Society anyway?” I asked.

Oplar blinked at me, and her smile softened… but didn’t die completely. “Well…”

Frowning at her, I wondered if it was someone I knew. Or she herself. Why was she suddenly acting as if afraid to say something? Or speak it aloud?

I glanced at Vim, who had lifted the pot he had been using to brew tea off the fire. He stood and stepped over to a nearby table where cups and other stuff rested, as to pour the tea out.

“Must you make tea right now Vim?” I asked him angrily.

As he poured tea into cups, he nodded. “Oplar has likely just traveled days without rest. So yes. It is time to make refreshments,” Vim said.

I wanted to grumble, but couldn’t.

He was right after all.

She did look exhausted… Or rather, now she didn’t look too bad… but earlier, a few minutes ago, in the doorway…

She had been heaving a little. Drenched in sweat and rain.

“Vim’s a kind man. He never cares for rest himself, but he’s always worried we don’t get enough,” Oplar said as Vim stepped over to her and handed her a wooden cup.

Oplar raised it a little, as if to thank and toast Vim, then went to take a drink as he turned and then held one out to me.

I glared at it, and then him, but took it anyway.

Watching him as he stepped back over to the table, as to refill the pot and prepare another batch of the tea, I wondered what to think.

He was acting very calm. Very normal…

Yet I had seen it. I had seen the moment of complete shock and confusion on his face, when Oplar had told him about the vote.

I hadn’t seen him that shocked since I had kissed him. There in those salt flats.

Oplar sighed after she drank what was likely most of her cup’s contents. “To be honest Renn… the fault is likely Vim’s,” she then said.

“His?” I asked as I held the cup firmly. It was a thick wooden one, but it was still warm thanks to the hot tea.

She nodded.

“It always is,” Vim said as he went to putting the pot back over the fire.

I stood to argue… but stuttered and had to collect myself. I had stood so quickly that I had splashed a tiny bit of the tea out of the cup, and lightly splattered some of it on my hand. It had burnt a little, but nothing too bad to worry over it. Grumbling I rubbed the hand that had gotten slightly scalded on my side as I glared at Vim.

“My. She’s glaring daggers at you Vim,” Oplar noted.

“As I said,” Vim said, once again laying the blame at his own feet.

“Vim!” I said, a little too loudly.

Vim sighed and glanced at me, but his expression was not one of annoyance or pain… instead it was one of the looks he had when we were usually alone.

That look was usually on his face when we were in bed together. Why was it on his face right now?

“She’s adorable Vim… It’s too bad we’ve been missing each other all this time, I’d have enjoyed seeing her in action,” Oplar said.

My glare had a new target, and she smirked at me as I locked eyes with her.

She didn’t seem bothered or worried at all as I bit back some choice words.

“Renn’s adorable, but you’ll want to be careful. Cats are quick to change temperaments,” Vim said.

“Can you two stop teasing me and being so calm? This is serious,” I said.

“We’re not teasing you… and to be honest, I’m not calm either. I’m worried, probably more than you are,” Oplar then said.

I gulped and shifted.

Vim sighed as he stood, and turned to face us. “Also, please keep your voices down. I’d rather not have anyone else a part of this conversation just yet,” Vim warned.

Ah. Right…

I slowly sat back down.

He nodded thankfully at me, and Oplar drank whatever was left in her cup. I didn’t hear any sloshing, so it had likely not been much at all.

“Plus, Renn… It’s not as desperate as you’re making it out to be either. We have two years before the vote is even held. It’s not something to panic over just yet,” Vim then said.

“It’s not the vote itself, Vim, it’s the fact it’s being held at all,” I said softly.

“Actually… she’s right, Vim. I need you to really take this seriously, for once, if you would,” Oplar added.

This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road. If you spot it on Amazon, please report it.

I didn’t like to hear her agree with me, since it meant my worries and fears were right.

Vim glanced at her, and she nodded. “You never fear anything, for good reason, Vim. But this is something you need to worry over. Especially so since it’s your own fault it’s happening,” she said to him.

Squirming in my chair, I watched Vim’s eyes soften as he stared into Oplar’s. “What’d I do this time, Oplar?” he asked softly.

“You gave the wrong person the wrong book,” she said.

“Book…?” I asked.

The two stared at each other for a moment… then Vim turned and frowned at me, and then shook his head as he shrugged.

“Do you mean the Queen’s Lament…?” I asked. Surely not, right? I mean… I had just given the fourth one to Sharp! And she was sharing it with everyone here. If that was the cause, then… I was as much as fault as him!

“What…? No… I’m talking about the book you gave Rapti, Vim. The one you supposedly wrote yourself,” Oplar then said.

I blinked, and felt a strange tingle run down my tail.

Rapti.

“Rapti wouldn’t do this…!” I said as my tail began to really twist and move. I was upset.

“Rapti would,” Vim said softly.

Oplar nodded. “I don’t know why you gave her that book, Vim. But it’s very ironic if it ends up being your own undoing. To be brought low by your own hands, basically,” Oplar shrugged with a smile.

“What’s she mean Vim?” I asked worriedly.

Vim sighed and was about to answer, but the pot on the fire began to hiss.

I startled a little at the sudden sound, and had to reach over and grab my tail. It had started to whack against things in its annoyed swaying. I held it firmly, as to calm it… or at least try to.

“Vim gave Rapti a book. One that made her… question. She sent letters to others, who then sent letters to the rest. It didn’t take long for certain ideas to sprout and doubts to form from them,” Oplar said.

Closing my eyes, I groaned as I tried to wrap my head around what was happening. For a moment the room was noisy with the hissing of the pot and Vim stepping over to Oplar… as to refill her cup.

“Is this vote Rapti’s idea or those she spoke to about it?” Vim asked her.

“A little of both. She wants answers. To be perfectly honest… I think she’s just scared. And trying to face her fears in the only way she knows how, through her faith,” Oplar said.

Rapti…!

Next time I see her I’m going to make her eat Vim’s cooking. A whole years worth.

“Renn.”

I looked up, and glared at Vim who gestured with the pot.

Shaking my head, I instead held my cup out to him.

I was in no mood for tea.

He took it, gently, and then stepped away to put the pot and cup onto the table.

“Basically Vim… those like Rapti. Those she’s been in correspondence with… have all come to a very peculiar conclusion,” Oplar said.

“Which is?” Vim asked.

“That you’re a god. One of the last. And by chaining you to our service, we are committing a crime of high sin… to put it plainly,” Oplar said, then took a drink.

Pausing, I released my tail that slid out of my hand and to the ground. “What…?” I asked.

Vim sighed. “You’ve got to be kidding me.”

Oplar shook her head as she finished gulping her drink. “No. Not at all. However… their coalition is mighty. And it’s given the others, those with actual grievances, apt opportunity to capitalize off your ill fortune,” she said.

“They’re using Rapti’s perspective and faith for their own benefit,” I whispered as I understood.

Oplar nodded at me. “Yes. There are many in the Society who are… upset. So it’s a perfect excuse. By the way, Crane is amongst them.”

“Huh?” I sat up straighter.

She nodded again. “Crane. From the Sleepy Artist. She’s alive. She’s with Rapti right now. I’m told she’s the only survivor. Lughes died from his wounds, not long after they escaped Ruvindale. Shelldon she’s not sure if he’s dead or not, but she assumes he is.”

The room, although warmed by the fire and rising sun, suddenly got very cold.

“I’m glad to hear she’s alive,” Vim said.

Blinking, I felt strangely weary. “Yes,” I agreed softly.

She’s alive.

“Don’t be. She’s likely the one who planted these ideas in Rapti’s head. She’s the one rallying the Society against you Vim. Using Rapti’s findings, and religious side as a tool. She and the others who feel slighted or let down by you are the ones calling for your removal,” Oplar said as she leaned back in her chair.

“Crane… hadn’t been very religious, had she?” I asked as I tried to remember her. She had seemed to have hated the humans in her own way… and all the customs and religions they had too, because of it.

“No. She isn’t,” Vim stated.

“Nonetheless… Crane has a grievance. And she’s not the only one. As far as I’m aware there are already over twenty members who have sent Rapti their marks. Their votes,” Oplar said.

“Wait… wait…!” I stood.

The two looked at me, and I forcefully calmed myself. I knew they didn’t want me to be too loud. To wake anyone. Not yet.

But…

“What happened… there… at the Sleepy Artist… It wasn’t Vim’s fault,” I said softly.

“From our perspectives, Renn,” Vim said.

I shook my head, but had to bite my tongue again. To keep myself from raising my voice.

“No, Renn. He has a point. Crane’s grievances are emotional, mostly. Though…” Oplar hesitated, and I noticed her look away from me, to Vim.

“What…?” I whispered. What was that look?

Oplar sighed. “Should I say it here Vim? It might cause issues.”

Blinking, I looked to Vim, who frowned at Oplar.

An odd silence followed, and I stepped forward. “What is it?” I asked.

Oplar ignored me, and held Vim’s gaze… who then sighed and nodded. “Let’s hear it,” he said.

The bear frowned, but nodded… and then looked to me. “Crane’s not blaming you, Renn. She’s blaming Vim. Through you. She’s claiming his allowance of not vetting you properly is why the Sleepy Artist is lost. She’s basically blaming what happened on the fact that Vim didn’t stick around long enough to make sure you were able to properly join the Society. That his lack of foresight brought about the tragedy.”

My sight blurred a little, and I had to step back. Vim stepped forward, but he didn’t need to catch me. I sat back down in my chair, lightheaded.

“She’s just being emotional, Renn. You have many in the Society who have voiced their own opinions on Crane’s claims, denouncing them. Rapti is amongst them, by the way,” Oplar said quickly.

Blinking, I glanced over at Vim… who was staring at me with a sad expression.

“Did you know?” I asked him softly.

“No. But…”

“But what?” I whispered.

“They can’t fault him, Renn. Not directly. So they use such methods to their benefit. You’re being used as a tool, because they don’t have a proper outlet for their accusations or anger. You're a means to an end,” Oplar said.

Taking a deep breath, I shook my head and looked down… away from the two of them.

I didn’t want to see their looks of worry. Their looks of pity.

It only made me hate myself more.

The crackling of the fire was a good chorus to the way my heart was currently in turmoil. It felt like it was breaking, yet swelling all the same. In anger, yet anguish.

My eyes welled with tears as I tried to comprehend what was happening.

I was being used. To hurt Vim. To hurt the Society.

Me.

“Some spear she is, Vim. Look at her… she’s about to cry,” Oplar whispered.

“Hm,” Vim must have nodded.

I sniffed, and although didn’t want to cry… I did feel it begin. I was about to weep.

“I’m so sorry,” I whispered before the sobs made it impossible to do so.

A heavy hand planted itself firmly on my shoulder, squeezing it. “It’s not your fault Renn,” Vim said.

“Aye. Though… if what I see is true, then them using you as the poisoned cup will only be their own undoing. This must be what Nebl and the Chronicler meant,” Oplar said lightly.

Glancing up, I wanted to ask what Oplar meant… but Vim’s expression made me hesitate and keep silent.

He looked…

“Why are you smiling?” I asked him.

“Hm… right. Rude to be so happy as your heart breaks, I suppose,” he admitted.

“It is…!” I complained. I was a hairsbreadth away from breaking! And he had such a happy grin on his face! He looked like he’d accept a kiss if I offered it, that was how happy he seemed!

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Oplar lean forward… likely to see Vim’s expression. He was angled at just the distance she likely couldn’t see it from where she sat.

“This has happened before, Renn. And will happen again. If anything you should be proud to be used by them. It means you’ve become important to me, even if they don’t realize it yet,” Vim said.

“Who’d it happen to last time? Celine?” I asked accusingly.

He tilted his head down at me, and then his smirk died into a sad smile. “No. A friend. A man you’ve painted, in fact,” he said.

Painted…?

“Rungle…?” I whispered.

He nodded. “It was why he had left the Society. Hopefully… we can avoid a similar outcome this time,” he said gently.

Sniffing, I frowned as I looked down at Oplar. She noticed my questioning gaze and quickly shook her head. “Before my time, I’m afraid,” she said softly.

Looking back up at Vim, he sighed as he patted my shoulder one last time… then stepped over to the table. He picked up the cup I had given him earlier, and then returned to offer it to me once more.

This time I took it, and glared at him as I took a long drink.

“Hm… I’ve really screwed up not catching up to you two earlier, haven’t I?” Oplar grumbled a complaint.

“You have no idea,” Vim said as he stepped away, to return his attention to the fire.

After taking a drink, I sighed and relaxed. I wiped my face a little, since although I had not broken into a weeping fit… I had still leaked some tears.

“They really tried something similar before, Vim?” I asked.

“Well… Yes. To a degree. I’ve told you before Renn, I’ve failed and caused issues before. I’ll not say this is as simple, or easily handled as those times had been, but…” Vim went quiet as he stared at the fire.

Before I could ask more, I heard why he had decided to go silent.

Footsteps. Headed our way.

I took a deep breath, to calm myself, and made sure to wipe my face again. So that whoever entered the room wouldn’t notice we had just been having an emotional conversation.

Oplar glanced around, frowning in a way that told me she hadn’t heard the footsteps yet. It was interesting she hadn’t been able to, being a predator, but…

Watching her, I noticed right when she heard the steps too. It was when the tiny feet rounded the corner, and began walking on stone and not the carpets.

The steps approached the door, paused a moment… likely to listen in, and then pushed open the door. Sharp entered the room, glancing around.

She didn’t have her bandages on, but she was wearing her hooded robe.

“Oh. It’s just the smelly bear,” Sharp said as she realized what was going on.

“What!” Oplar shot to her feet, with such gusto I actually startled. Oplar hurried over to the door, and Sharp, and extended her arms greatly. “Long time no see, my pointy little friend!” Oplar said loudly.

Smiling at the sight, I watched as Sharp startled too… and ducked away as Oplar actually tried to wrap her in a hug.

“You massive idiot!” Sharp complained as she had to duck away again, as Oplar turned to grab her once more. Or at least, try to.

Although it was clear that Oplar wasn’t trying her hardest to grab Sharp… it was also obvious Oplar was not hesitating. If Sharp hadn’t ducked and avoided her, Oplar would have actually wrapped her in a hug.

“Oh, I know you love me!” Oplar said as she stepped towards Sharp again.

Sharp let out a weird noise as she hurried towards me. “Renn! Vim!” she shouted for help as she hurried over.

I slowly stood, unable to contain my smile as Sharp hurried around me and my chair, as to put me and the chair between her and Oplar.

Although I knew this was likely… just a silly joke the two did each time they saw each other, I wasn’t sure how far to take it. Did Sharp actually expect me to protect her? Did Oplar? What if I didn’t try and Oplar actually got a hold of Sharp? Wouldn’t she get hurt if she did?

As I debated how I’d stop Oplar, I decided to just stand in the way. If anything to just slow her down a little. After all it’d not bother me if she wrapped me in a hug.

Oplar approached all the same, uncaring.

“You bumbling brute! One day I’m going to just let you catch me!” Sharp shouted a threat from behind me.

“Aye, good excuses! You’re just getting slow in your old age, aren’t you!” Oplar though wasn’t deterred, and I had to actually duck and step aside a little as Oplar walked past. Her extended arms nearly bumped into my head as she walked around me, to get to Sharp.

“Gah!” Sharp had to hurry away, nearly tripping in the process. She bumped into Vim, rounded him and grabbed his shirt as she leered at Oplar and me from behind him.

Vim sighed, and turned. Oplar went still, pausing with her arms extended a few feet from me.

Oh…?

“A vote’s been called, Sharp,” Vim then said to her.

What little happiness that had just blossomed within me over the moment was quickly doused.

“Hopefully on how to properly skin a bear,” Sharp said as she gripped Vim’s shirt tighter.

Oplar chuckled as she lowered her arms and shifted, smirking at Sharp who was glaring at her.

“No. It’s to decide if I’m to remain the protector or not,” Vim said.

I clenched my teeth as I glared at the man who was, as always, far too honest for his own good.

Sharp blinked, then her glare and frown at Oplar turned into a look of utter uncertainty as she glanced up at him. “Truly?” she asked.

He nodded to her.

A long moment passed as Sharp studied Vim’s face, and then she scoffed.

“Hmph… if they vote you away, let me know where you go next. No point staying with a sinking ship,” Sharp said with a sigh.

“Right!” I agreed heartily.

Maybe I wouldn't have to worry over it, if there were enough people who realized the obvious like Sharp and I!