A tingling ran down his arm, but Jorvanultumn paid it no mind, as he had paid very little mind to anything in the past few hours. Fevionawishtensen traced equations on his skin, closing cuts, removing bruises, and he hardly noticed. All he could do was stare up at the sky and the stars, but not even really noticing them either.

He did notice the thud to his shoulder though.

Fevionawishtensen was glaring at him. I am trying to talk to you.

He must have missed her signing. “Sorry.”

I know this is hard for you. You feel betrayed. So do I. But they will call you in soon. You need to snap out of it.

He nodded. “You’re right.”

She handed him his robe. You should get dressed. It would not look good for you to go before the Lamdritta in your underclothes.

He smiled and took the robe. He was seated on a stool in a small antechamber outside the Lamdritta’s meeting room—not the audience chamber he had spoken to them in before, but a truly private room and not a public space. It was the place where the Lamdritta met to deliberate and discuss matters of governance and law, where they made decisions on behalf of Chithishtheny as a whole. It was a place where, normally, only the Lamdritta and their most important staff were allowed to enter.

His arms ached as he pulled the robe on and he grimaced.

Fevionawishtensen looked at him with sad eyes. I’ve done what I can to heal your wounds, but I am not a medic. She beat you up pretty badly.

He shook his head. “No, she didn’t. She could have done far worse. She shredded Hilkorultumn’s wings. How’s he doing by the way?”

I don’t know. There’s been no news.

Jorvanultumn took a deep breath and held back tears. “She shredded his wings, but nothing in the torrent of things she threw at me ever hit my wings. She battered and bruised me, but did nothing that I won’t recover from. She had such control. Such precision. She’s unbelievably powerful.”

Fevionawishtensen leaned over and kissed him. Even bending his neck back a little to allow the kiss was painful, but he ignored it, just like he was ignoring all the other pain.

The physical pain, at any rate.

I swear to you, she will pay for this. When I find her, I will kill her.

Jorvanultumn sighed. “She could have killed me, Fevionawishtensen. She could have done it so easily. But she didn’t.”

I don’t care. She betrayed you. She betrayed me. I… She hesitated and rubbed her eyes. I let her get close to me. I let her… She shivered. I let her touch me in ways only you have ever touched me.

“You slept together?”

Fevionawishtensen wiped her eyes again. You weren’t here and she had no one else. We needed each other. So I thought. Clearly she was just using me.

“I’m not so sure.”

Fevionawishtensen scowled at him. Of course she was. She is… She is… She threw her arms wide in exasperation, spun around and kicked the wall. I don’t even have a sign for the word. This! She flicked her hand, forefinger and pinky extended. This will be my sign for it.

It was a common vulgar gesture that had no actual word associated with it, but it was used to indicate extreme contempt or distaste for someone or something.

“You mean the Pundritta?”

Yes.

“She said to tell you she loves you and that she’s sorry.”

Fuck her! If she loved me or you, she wouldn’t have betrayed us.

“But you love her, don’t you? I do.”

I love the person I thought she was. I hate the person she really is. I swear, I will kill her. She sneered as she signed kill.

“She’s more powerful than you.”

Then I will become more powerful first and then kill her.

Jorvanultumn just nodded. There was no point arguing further. Part of him wanted to kill Chiansamorkin too. Kill her for what she’d done to Hilkorultumn, for threatening him and Sinitïa, for possibly being involved in Meleng’s abduction—though he was inclined to believe her when she said she had not done it. He probably should kill her. She was Pundritta; it was his duty. But he could not help wonder how much choice she had in the matter. Membership passed from diare to siare just like so much else in Isyar society. She would have been indoctrinated into it from childhood, given no choice whatsoever. And she had talked of loss. Such loss.

“She said she had a fomase.”

Fevionawishtensen stopped pacing and stared at him. What?

“She didn’t give any details, just that the fomase was gone. I got the impression her fomase must have died very soon after they met. I have no idea how.”

Fevionawishtensen’s faced drooped. Gods, that’s horrible. Her face hardened again. But I will still kill her.

Jorvanultumn did not know whether to groan or laugh.

The door to the meeting room opened, revealing Reszidbovroh, flanked by two Hgirh. Reszidbovroh stepped into the antechamber. “They will see you now. Fevionawishtensen, as Jorvanultumn’s fomase, you may accompany him.”

Jorvanultumn stood up and took Fevionawishtensen’s hand. Together, they walked through the door. A cool breeze greeted them, coming through the partially open ceiling. The room was long and rectangular. Several flame globes on the walls provided light. At the far side sat a large, circular low-table with space for ten Isyar. The three remaining members of the Lamdritta sat on adjacent cushions on the far side, Maramintorin in the centre with Griholbovroh to his left and Paydamat to his right.

Reszidbovroh led Jorvanultumn and Fevionawishtensen to the table and indicated that they should take seats across from the Lamdritta. The two Hgirh remained by the door. Still holding each other’s hand, Jorvanultumn and Fevionawishtensen sat on the indicated cushions.

“Thank you for coming, Jorvanultumn,” Maramintorin said. “We know this must be a hard time for you. This is a difficult time for us all, but it must way particularly heavy on you. We all pray to Nature for Hilkorultumn’s timely recovery.”

“Thank you, Lamdirh,” Jorvanultumn said.

“However,” Maramintorin went on, “we need to discuss former Lamdhir Chiansamorkin. We have heard what you told the Hgirh: that she is the Pundhir of a group called the Pundritta, who lead an organization of Isyar Darkness Worshippers. However, we would like to hear a more thorough explanation directly from you.”

“Of course, Lamdirh. The name Pundritta applies to both the organisation as a whole and to the council that rules over them. I only learned about them on this return home, but my family has hunted them for many generations.” He proceeded to tell them everything he knew so far of the Pundritta, and then what had happened with Chiansamorkin last night.

You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.

“This is very disturbing,” Paydamat said when he finished. “Stories about Chiansamorkin are already starting to spread. This could cause great panic.”

Griholbovroh harrumphed. “It can be contained. What we have is one disturbed individual who went on a rampage. It is rare, but not unknown. Any panic will subside once it is clear she acted alone.”

“Did she act alone, though?” Maramintorin said. “Meleng Drago was abducted by a mentalist. If Chiansamorkin was involved in that, she must have had a mentalist as an accomplice, if not others.”

Griholbovroh scowled. “You’re suggesting this Pundritta business is true? Chiansamorkin alone is not proof of it.”

Maramintorin nodded. “Yes, but Hilkorultumn’s diare’s records correctly identified the symbol in her eye, according to Jorvanultumn. That, in the very least, is evidence this organisation does exist.”

Griholbovroh harrumphed again. “We have only Jorvanultumn’s statement that the symbols matched. A tiny symbol in the back of her eye. It could be easy to mistake what it looks like for something else.”

Maramintorin shook his head. “I agree that we should see these records, but I do not see any reason to doubt Jorvanultumn’s eyesight in this.”

“It was actually Princess Sinitïa Alessia Deanna Folith who recognised the symbol,” Jorvanultumn interrupted. “I thought it was familiar, but it would have taken me longer to recognise it.”

“Then I see no reason to doubt the Princess’s eyesight,” Maramintorin said. “My point, however, Lammdir Griholbovroh, is that you seem to be making judgements based on not wanting this Pundritta to exist. I can assure you, I too do not want it to exist either. But wanting or not wanting something does not create reality. As an enchanter, you know this better than most of us. We must not ignore what evidence we have.”

Griholbovroh sighed loudly. “You are right. I concede that we have some evidence that this organisation might exist. However, the possibility also remains that Chiansamorkin is merely mentally disturbed. She learned stories about this Pundritta and decided to copy them. Lamdir Paydamat, what are your thoughts on this?”

Paydamat raised her eyebrows. “I think Chiansamorkin’s mental health is irrelevant. She has engaged in criminal activity and she must be caught. Meleng Drago is still missing and she may be able to provide information about where he is.”

“If I may interject again,” Jorvanultumn said, “I believe Chiansamorkin when she said she did not take Meleng Drago and did not know where he was.”

“She could have easily lied about that,” Griholbovroh said.

Jorvanultumn nodded. “She could have, but I do not believe she did.”

“Do you believe Meleng Drago was taken by Darkness Worshippers?” Paydamat asked.

“I cannot be sure, but I think it is possible.”

“But if he was taken by Darkness Worshippers,” Griholbovroh said, “and Chiansamorkin is one of them, why would she not know about it, especially since she is their Pundhir?”

Jorvanultumn sighed, and Fevionawishtensen squeezed his hand. “In my travels with my human friends, we were pursued by Darkness Worshippers on several occasions. However, their efforts did not seem coordinated with one another. It was as though different groups of them were acting independently of each other. It is possible that the ones who took Meleng Drago were not operating under her instructions.”

“But are they not a single organisation?” Griholbovroh asked.

“This is a single organisation,” Jorvanultumn said, “but clearly Chiansamorkin was able to do things on her own.”

Griholbovroh looked about to protest, but sighed. “I concede your point.”

“Then we are no closer to finding Meleng Drago,” Maramintorin said.

“Not true,” Paydamat said. “We now have these lists of signs and symbols. Fevionawishtensen, distribute them to the Hgirh under your command. Pass them on to your diare as well so they can be spread farther afield. Everyone must learn them.”

“Are we to stop everyone now to look for symbols on their person?” Griholbovroh said.

“We may have little other choice,” Maramintorin said.

Paydamat shook her head. “Absolutely not. It would only spread panic and would be a violation of individual privacy. However, keeping our eyes open when in public is only to be expected. Fevionawishtensen, continue the search for Meleng Drago in the same manner as you have been doing, only with the added information from Hilkorultumn’s diare. We also must not forget that we do not yet know whether Meleng Drago was abducted by Darkness Worshippers. It might have been someone else. All we can be relatively sure of at this time is that it was an Isyar. Try to keep this as quiet as possible, but we can no longer deny this reality.”

Fevionawishtensen bowed her head. She let go of Jorvanultumn’s hand. As you wish.

“Before you go,” Maramintorin said, “there are two other matters to resolve. Regardless of the existence or non-existence of the Pundritta, we cannot deny that there is a real threat active in the world today. With Volganths active and preparing for war against us, it makes sense that they would place agents in other lands, such as Arnor and our own. And while the Will-Breaker might or might not have been responsible for bringing this war upon us, it is clear from their own statements at Scovese that the Volganths fear her. For this reason, we have reached the conclusion that she deserves assistance in her fight against them. Therefore, Jorvanultumn, we find your reasons for temporarily suspending your elispt and returning to Isyaria early justified. We rule that you have not broken you elispt in doing so—provided you resume your elispt immediately upon departing Isyaria again.”

Fevionawishtensen took Jorvanultumn’s hand again and squeezed it.

“Thank you, Lamdirh,” Jorvanultumn said. “And thank you to the entire Lamdritta. I am grateful for the wisdom you have shown.”

Maramintorin continued, “As I mentioned, we agree that Princess Felitïa Asa Folith, known as the Will-Breaker deserves our assistance. It is our judgement that she should receive the best possible assistance. Therefore, we have decided that Lamdir Paydamat should accompany you back to Arnor, and she has consented.”

Paydamat bowed her head in acknowledgement.

Jorvanultumn frowned. He had not considered this possibility. What should he say? “Thank you again. However, with all due respect, I have already asked Mikranasta to come with me.”

“And has she accepted?” Maramintorin asked.

“Not as yet, but with your ruling, I am certain that she now will.”

“Mikranasta is a skilled and valued citizen of Chithishtheny,” Maramintorin said. “While she would undoubtedly be an excellent choice, the simple fact is Lamdir Paydamat is an even better choice. If Princess Felitïa Asa Folith’s powers are what you suspect they are, she needs the absolute best we can send. Also, she is royalty in Arnor and should be afforded the best in acknowledgement of that.”

Griholbovroh tapped his staff on the side of the low-table. “Take what we offer, Jorvanultumn. We are overlooking the disruptions you have caused due to the extraordinary circumstances, but do not push us too far.”

Jorvanultumn bowed his head. “Of course, Lammdir. Thank you all again.” They were right. Paydamat was the best choice—at least, based on what they knew. While Jorvanultumn suspected Mikranasta was the more powerful of the two, she had deliberately hidden the extent of her abilities. The Lamdritta had no way of knowing this. However, even if Mikranasta was the more powerful, the difference was small. Paydamat was more than capable of providing Felitïa with assistance. He had simply grown attached to the idea that he could convince Mikranasta to go with him, but he should not let emotion cloud his judgement.

“That said,” Maramintorin said, “we have given Lamdir Paydamat discretionary powers to choose her team to take with her. We cannot afford a large number as we must look to our own defences, but a single assistant plus an honour guard is within our means. Lamdir Paydamat?”

Jorvanultumn smiled. If Paydamat chose Mikranasta, that would be better than he could have possibly imagined when he first came here. To have both of them helping Felitïa…

Paydamat stood up. “I have decided to bring my siare Nascanmat with me.”

Jorvanultumn’s heart sank.

“I can see your disappointment, Jorvanultumn. I mean no disrespect to Mikranasta, but while Nascanmat may not possess her skill, he is intimately familiar with my methods. Plus, Mikranasta has a siare of her own that she should not leave alone at a crucial time in his training.”

Jorvanultumn bowed his head. “I understand.”

“I have also decided to take Fevionawishtensen. We have worked well together in matters of security in the past. Her magical and martial skills will be invaluable should we encounter violence.”

Fevionawishtensen bowed her head.

Jorvanultumn bowed his head as well to hide his smirk. Considering Fevionawishtensen had already decided to come anyway, Paydamat’s decision only made it formal.

Paydamat sat again, and Maramintorin addressed the table. “The final matter before we adjourn is the situation regarding Princess Sinitïa Alessia Deanna Folith. The matter is hereby dropped. It has done nothing more than waste this council’s time.”

Griholbovroh scowled, but said nothing.

“Thank you,” Jorvanultumn said.

“Unless there is an objection, this meeting is adjourned,” Maramintorin said. “Fevionawishtensen, you should return to your duty. Jorvanultumn, you are free to go.”

Jorvanultumn and Fevionawishtensen both bowed their heads and then stood together. They turned to face each other and she smiled at him. They touched foreheads and wing tips.

“I will see you soon,” Jorvanultumn said.

She nodded and smiled again.

He smiled back. “I will check on Princess Sinitïa Alessia Deanna Folith, and let her know the news.” He turned to face the Lamdritta and placed his hand on his chest. “Pleasant thoughts to you all.”

“And to you,” Maramintorin said as they all returned the gesture.

Jorvanultumn turned and left the room.