The sun rose, the landscape changed, and on she ran with the Bright Lady’s seemingly boundless strength. Still, Irina would not allow herself to enjoy the feeling, nor to revel in the restored connection, nor allow her mind to fade into the simple task of running.

Jon. Elseth. Kent. She had to save them. Lady Lumiara was with her, soothing fear and anger and all their cousins, but concern still made it through.

She reached the Ridge of Kaisen, crossed it, then cut to the east along a humble road that had not seen steady use since the old border conflicts of Melgen’s three parts. The Junmarch was dotted with various reminders of those times. Hard Hill was one of them; a small fort near the East border.

She started seeing it in the distance. Her eyesight was no better than normal, and so she veered off the road before seeing movement; they would see her in turn.

A young forest was gradually coming into its own in the area around the low hill, and it sufficed as cover as she circled around to the back Irina finally came to a stop as the trees did, and looked up.

Hard Hill was an eminently defensible location. The only way up to the gate was a steep slope, utterly exposed to missiles and lookouts. The walls, constructed of rocks hewn from the sides of the hill itself, were simple but sturdy. And tall.

She gathered her strength for a few moments; her body was still human. Then she grabbed one end of her ilthin and yanked on it. It released from her belt and completely unwound with that one pull.

Irina ran straight at the hill, building momentum, and then leapt upwards. Her foot found an outcropping and launched her on upwards in a second great leap. She threw the ilthin and let her will guide it. The seeking end caught one of the crude battlements and a single yank of her arm sent her the rest of the way.

She cleared the battlements as the ilthin returned to her and wrapped around her left arm. Her feet made a bit of a noise as they landed on a rotting wooden platform. The men below looked her way.

The courtyard was divided in two halves, separated by a bit of a slope. Each half featured two houses, marked by years of neglect, and the one she stood over also had three large cages, exposed to the elements. Inside one were her friends, inside another were Prince Walder and his man Olson, and in front of both were Prince Kalgan and several of his men.

Irina leapt. She used one of the cages as a stepping stone and jumped from there straight into the group. She rammed into two men, sending them backwards and into two more. She worked the ilthin, snagging the arm of a man on the far left of the group as he was drawing a sword. She yanked on the rope, smashing him into those who still stood.

All fell save for Prince Kalgan, who was rather quicker to react than his warriors. His sword came free from its scabbard, but the ilthin loosened at her command. She sent a flick through it and the end hit the prince’s face like a whip.

He staggered backwards as the cut immediately started oozing blood.

“MEN!” he shouted as he backed away from her, and there were sounds from the houses near the gate.

Irina called the ilthin back around her arm and now drew the kayros from her belt. As the men she’d felled began getting up, weapons in hand, she turned to one of the cages and raised the stick. Lady Lumiara’s power flowed through the bond, along Irina’s arm, and was focused by the kayros runes. It burst loose with a flash as she struck it all against the cage lock, shattering it into pieces.

Jon, Elseth and Kent looked battered. Jon, in particular, had a big stain of dried blood on his head. Their faces were as astonished as could be expected, but there was no time for an exchange of words.

One of the mail-clad hall warriors rushed at Irina from behind with a sword. She turned and swung the kayros against his strike, shattering the blade. A kick at his torso then sent him flying.

His comrades still came at her, bearing swords, axes and a spear. Her kayros shattered a shield and knocked the wielder down with a broken arm. She evaded a sword-swing and broke the attacker’s knee with a strike. The spear nicked her arm, but the ilthin caught the man’s ankle and a quick yank bowled him off his feet with a snapping sound.

Jon snatched a dropped sword off the ground. He was visibly unsteady on his feet, but skill let him parry an axe-strike and drive the blade into the man’s neck. Kent stepped up as Jon’s swings cleared more space and took up the fallen axe. Another of the armed warriors had his sword belt come loose and fall down about his legs; one of Elseth’s little tricks.

Irina swung at the lock of another cage, freeing Prince Walder and Olson.

“Kalgan!” the prince shouted as he took up the spear. “You honourless cur!”

Irina looked to the eastern prince, just as he and two of his bodyguards vanished into the nearest house together. They could wait. The Mid bandits were coming up the slope.

The men left by the cages fled to join their approaching comrades. Irina gave chase and caught up with them easily. She seized one by the back of his tunic and flung him forward, over the edge of the slope and into the advancing band.

The display of her strength put a momentary halt to the charge. Irina took up position by the edge and swung her kayros into the ground. A cloud of dirt blasted in every direction with a flash and a crack, putting further doubt into the bandits.

“FLEE!” she ordered.

Jon joined her on the left, holding the bloodied sword. Kent joined her on the right, holding the axe. Elseth was somewhere behind and there was a banging noise Irina attributed to Walder and Olson trying to get through a barred door.

“Go around the sides!” Camdyn shouted from circa the centre of the group. “Go-”

Irina snagged his torso with the ilthin and yanked him to her. She then threw him back at an angle, again bowling over several bandits like wooden pins. A few of the rest did try to rush up, but Jon cut down the first one to make it and Kent beat back the second. Jon leapt over the edge and cut down another man before retreating back up. A bandit came at his flank but the man’s axe flew out of his hand; another one of Elseth’s tricks.

A javelin was thrown at Irina but she perceived it as moving lazily through the air and a swing of her kayros shattered it. She directed more of Lumiara’s energy into the next strike at the ground, making for a more intimidating display. The bandits looked just about ready to drop the whole matter. That was when the awful roar sounded from behind.

Irina turned just in time to see the grotesque head burst out through the door Walder and Olson had been trying to get into, splintering it in the process. The rest of the body crawled out, damaging the door frame itself. Then it rose up on two gnarled legs.

It was bent and misshapen, but stood nearly twice the height of the roof and each frenzied swing of the four asymmetrical arms radiated strength. The uneven, fang-lined mouth opened in another unearthly roar.

This was a greater demon. And in the doorway behind it one could glimpse Prince Kalgan, his arms cut and bleeding from carrying out the summoning.

The bandits screamed and Walder and Olson scrambled to get away from the monstrosity. Within two steps it was clear that its long legs would catch them in moments.

As the bandits ran for the gate Irina sprinted towards the monster. She shouted at it and it turned with recognition in its bearing. It understood what she represented; whose power she channelled.

It switched direction and charged at her, stooping low to allow its long arms to rake. Irina darted to the side with Lumiara’s inhuman speed, hoping to deliver a strike at the creature’s back. The demon reacted with quickness that belied its size and lashed out at her.

Lumiara’s unnatural grace let Irina dodge one arm, then strike at another one. Energy boomed against the mockery of flesh that the demon wore and did some damage. But it would take more.

The demon kicked and her dodge was only half successful. A brush with the limb sent her flying, and she rolled on the ground. She realised the kayros had fallen from her grip just as the demon charged her again. She sprang to her feet and ran towards the weapon.

The demon stepped in between her and it.

Irina came to a jarring halt. The demon stood there, staring straight at her, its claws scraping against one another with anticipation.

From behind the monster Prince Walder threw the spear he’d picked up. It struck the demon’s back and lodged there. The monster turned with a rattling noise of anger.

Irina seized the opportunity. As it took a step towards the fleeing prince she ran straight for the demon. She darted in between its legs and snatched up the kayros. The demon struck at her but she struck back. With a flash and a boom the claws of one arm went flying this way and that and the demon roared again.

This book's true home is on another platform. Check it out there for the real experience.

Prince Kalgan and his men had left the house, swords in hand. A single glance showed them trying to move towards the gate and being intercepted by her friends.

She dodged a swipe, then another one, each knocking loose big clumps of dirt as they missed. She swung, but the demon evaded. She misjudged the next attack and a glancing hit of one set of claws opened several bleeding cuts, spread out over her body.

Irina broke away from the monster and ran for the fort wall. The demon followed and roared at her back as she wrapped the ilthin about a pillar. She ducked underneath a swipe and those claws chipped the pillar. She ran around a kick and again moved between the monster’s legs.

She threw the other end of the rope in passing and it wrapped itself around what passed for the demon’s ankle. She ran back the way she’d come and the demon lunged at her. The rope stopped it short and the demon pitched forward onto its stomach.

Irina called on all the power her mistress could grant her and leapt with the kayros in both hands. She brought it down on the demon’s head and a great boom bounced off the walls. She struck again, and again.

The demon lay still, its head reduced to strips.

Irina turned. The situation was under control. The bandits had fled. Kalgan’s remaining men lay bleeding on the ground. And the prince himself lay prone and groaning, blood matting his hair.

Jon, Elseth, Kent, Walder and Olson stood and stared at her. From behind her came the familiar crackling sound of a demon’s form breaking up.

“Come, all of you,” she said gently and beckoned them over. “I will heal your wounds.”

# # #

The walk back to the main road was all but silent. There was a certain awkwardness to the situation. Prince Walder had lost several of his companions, Olson held the reins of the horse that carried the bound and gagged eastern prince, and Jon, Elseth and Kent had just narrowly survived an awful ordeal. Then of course there was the issue of Irina herself.

The three of them gave her regular sidelong glances, their faces carefully neutral. Irina couldn’t hazard a guess as to their exact feelings, but she didn’t let any of it bother her. Not with Lady Lumiara’s wordless presence in her mind. This whole matter had worked out as well as it possibly could have. And now she would be heading back home.

They reached the turning point; a road leading pretty much straight back to West-Melgen, and there the prince was the first to stop.

“Well then,” he said, bearing a hint of the awkwardness of the others, hidden beneath a regal front. “This is where we part ways, Chalu Irina.”

“Indeed it is, Prince,” she replied. “I do hope you have been reassured some regarding the Bright Lords.”

“Some. I will not deny it,” Walder told her, although she had no idea if he was being sincere or not.

He glanced at her waist.

“I notice you have my knife.”

It had indeed been in Kalgan’s possession. Now it was in her belt.

“My mistress wants it,” Irina said with finality.

“And you’ve made it clear how little point there is in arguing with one in your position,” Walder said. He smiled, though there was some displeasure beneath it.

Irina tapped the knife.

“Consider this a reward for freeing you.”

“I will.”

He turned to Jon, Elseth and Kent.

“And consider those horses my reward for our joined efforts in that fort.”

“As you say, Your Highness,” Jon replied, then was momentarily distracted by the somewhat unfamiliar task of managing the beast underneath him.

Walder looked at his counterpart.

“We shall see what concession the eastern king will consider worth his brother’s return. To say nothing of averting a war for this entire disgrace.”

Kalgan neither said nor indicated anything. Even in defeat he remained cold and dispassionate. Irina didn’t know what there was to say in his position.

“Let us be off, Olson,” Walder said, and set his horse back into motion. “And you three have proven your mettle and resourcefulness,” he added to Irina’s friends. “I shall not hesitate to hire you once more.”

“Thank you, Your Highness,” Jon said. “Safe travels.”

They waited until the trio had vanished from sight. Jon, Elseth and Kent then dismounted and stood before her. Elseth shuffled her feet.

“So. You are... back into service,” the woman said.

“Thankfully, yes,” Irina replied, and hooked a finger into the collar. The old tic of tugging on it made itself known. “Fate made the choice easy for me. I needed the power to save you. Now you are safe, and I again have the peace granted to me by my mistress.”

“I quite liked having you back,” Jon said solemnly.

“And I liked seeing you again. And getting to know you, Kent.”

The forester nodded at her.

“But as much as I appreciate the thought behind your concerns, this is for the best,” she went on.

“And that inner tension you told us about?” Jon asked. “The one that would haunt you now and then?”

“It will trouble me no more,” she said confidently. “This time it was a choice. I traded my freedom for lives I hold dear. It was a fine trade. Because you are fine friends.”

Elseth looked helpless.

“And as fine friends are we to simply walk away and abandon you a third time?”

“I do not feel abandoned,” Irina said.

She smiled at the woman and took her shoulder.

“I am sad at the thought that this might be our last meeting, but aside from that I am happy.”

“You are happy because Lady Lumiara is making you feel that way,” Elseth said.

“And is happiness worth less when it is induced?” Irina asked. “Regardless of where it comes from, I feel the way I feel. What more could one ask for than contentment?”

“I don’t... I can’t answer those questions,” Elseth said.

“I suppose many questions have vague answers,” Kent opined.

Irina spread her arms out.

“Do not feel sad for my sake,” she said. “This is my calm, warm cabin in the distance. But you could of course join me in Mid-Melgen.”

Elseth touched her own neck defensively.

“I’ve told you how I feel about those things.”

“And I tell you that there is nothing to fear,” Irina said. “But... the Bright Lords have no reason... some time from now... to take special notice of three people who move south across the border and open a tavern.”

She looked them over.

“A tavern where they share stories of adventures and trials, of friends and foes, in a land that knows peace. Please... promise me you will at least think about it. Before the life claims you.”

“Very well,” Jon said with some reluctance. “I will think about it. We will have to think carefully about what to do with all of this money.”

“Ah, yes,” Irina said and untied her own share of the reward from her belt. “Here.”

She handed it over.

“I have no need for it. Not in service to my mistress. That makes two-hundred rils for each of you, in total.”

“Are you sure?” Kent asked as he took the pouch.

She laughed.

“Of course I am sure. And... now I think it is time we part.”

She gave each of them a hug.

“Thank you all,” she said as she stepped back. “For the good times and the bad ones. And all the ones in between.”

“Thank you,” Jon said. “For all those times. And for coming for us.”

“You do look happy,” Elseth commented.

“And your condition looks somewhat bittersweet,” Irina said. “Take heart. I am certain you will, given time.”

They turned to their new horses and Jon put one foot in the stirrups. Then he hesitated and turned back.

“Irina?”

“Yes?”

The man went through a few moments of thoughtful silence.

“Were you telling the truth at that meeting of the princes? About the Bright Lords not expanding? About there being no summoning pole? About each one only being able to control a certain number of slaves? Or were you protecting your comrades in Mid-Melgen? And your mistress?”

“It’s the truth, Jon,” she replied.

“But would you answer the question any other way now?” he asked and pointed at her collar.

She touched it again, chuckled, and sighed.

“No. I suppose you will just have to decide for yourself what to believe.”

He just nodded, looking quite neutral.

The three of them mounted.

“Good winds to you,” she said. “Good winds and fortune.”

Jon, Elseth and Kent said their farewells and then they set off. Irina stood still and watched as they headed north. They looked back a few times. Then they vanished over the horizon.

Irina let out a sigh. That was that done with.

She turned around and headed south. She moved at a casual pace; there was no rush and she felt like taking it easy. These last few days had been quite exciting enough and the weather was proving to be rather lovely as noon drew closer.

Irina’s mind wandered. She found herself thinking back on her attempts to describe to her friends how her mind had functioned while collared. Now she thought back to the person she’d been a few hours ago, and all the conflicts that had come with it, and tried to make sense of them.

She crossed the ridge into Mid-Melgen and her agreement with Lady Lumiara was at an end. The Bright Lady became a firmer presence within her spirit and those mildly troublesome thoughts blew away like dandelion seeds on a gentle breeze.

There was no need for concerns or doubts, and there never would be again. Irina smiled happily as she walked, and sped up her pace a bit. If she made it back to Vyslak quickly enough she, Ana and Bors could finally make good on that evening of drink and merriment. Her friends and companions awaited her, even though Ana would play at being irate with her for a few more days.

And her mistress. The embrace of her mistress...

Irina tugged on the collar again. For an instant she wondered how her other self would have felt about all this. But that thought blew away along with the others and she was left only with satisfaction.

She began whistling as she walked.