Nene lost track of the score for the umpteenth time. Her teammate, Beleos, paled when he saw her putting the Four Horses on the table. The satisfied laughter of their two opponents, Kuur and Filiam, confirmed that she had made a terrible choice. She didn't understand much about that card game. The quartet of regulars at the tavern had invited her to play. Samuel, who had given up his seat, was standing behind her, explaining the convoluted game rules and giving her a few hints, but she was still a total novice, sent to slaughter against veteran players.

«I play the Mountain», Filiam said.

«Shit!»

«So… I have to discard, right?», she asked.

«Discard four cards, one for each Horse you own»

«If they were Mules, you would be safe, but Horses don't thrive on mountains»

«Unless your partner can cover your arse somehow»

Beleos shook his head. He played the Mule to avoid discarding himself. Kuur passed the turn, as his team was already winning thanks to the Mountain. Nene discarded four cards and was left with just two: the Twin Fairies and one whose name she couldn't even remember, representing a bear dressed in human clothes, holding a fishing rod at the shore.

«Usually, if you play first, you don't wanna start with a powerful card like the Four Horses. Otherwise, opponents will know what to respond with»

Adanara approached their noisy table. Her eyes were cloudy from drinking. Everyone turned to her, and Filiam patted her arm.

«Hey, witch, wanna play too?»

«Name’s Adanara», she said.

«Come on, we’re having fun»

«What are you still doing here?» she asked, turning to Nene.

Her threatening tone made her hesitate. Her playmates, however, glared at the witch. She felt a surge of courage, knowing that someone was watching her back.

«I'm waiting for Nila. She's getting ready upstairs. You should too. The mayor invited us to a party»

«I know. My sister and I’ll go together. By ourselves»

An excited "ooh" rose from those present. Sevika, sensing trouble, got closer to them. She looked menacing and was ready to put in their place anyone who dared to start a fight. She likely had to deal often with that kind of crap, so she was ready for it.

«I asked her to go as well. She’s fine with it», Nene explained.

Adanara leaned awkwardly on the table. Filiam moved his chair to the side to make room for her. His idiotic grin, full of anticipation, was speaking for itself: he was waiting for her and the witch to start a fight, perhaps to place more bets, same as before.

«My sister is…», she hiccuped. «My sis is too nice to tell you to fuck off. Don't take advantage of her kindness!»

Nene left the cards on the table. She didn't feel comfortable, in truth, she was intimidated. Adanara was bigger and older than her. At the monastery, she had learned that bullies like Liaria could easily be silenced with a little of their own medicine, but that one seemed different, determined, convinced of what she was doing. Nene hesitated to answer back, although she was sure to be in the right, and that in the worst-case scenario, her new friends would have been on her side. Maybe.

«Maybe she's too nice to tell you to fuck off», she replied.

The men at the table burst into laughter. Beleos jumped up and began patting Adanara on the back while pretending to wipe tears from his eyes. Even Sevika held back a laugh. She turned away to avoid being noticed, achieving the opposite effect. The light of reason left Adanara's eyes. She got even closer and grabbed her wrist, forcefully. Silence fell. Sevika stood behind the witch and folded arms.

«That's enough, give it a rest now», she commanded.

«We're not in the Principality here, bitch! Your Church is nowhere near to protect you!»

«Let me go!»

«One drink on the witch!»

«Same!»

The bets were stacked against Nene. How to blame them? Adanara was physically superior, furious and out of control due to alcohol. She looked around for the owner, who looked like she was about to explode.

«I warned you! No fights in here, ‘kay? Don't think I'll let it go because you saved my cousin!»

«Ada!»

Nila, descending the staircase from the floor above, entered the scene, looking shocked. Adanara lowered her head and let Nene go. Her sister ran to her side and grabbed her by the shoulders.

«Ada, what's wrong with you? T-talk to me»

The witch freed herself from her grip. Without saying a word, she lolled upstairs, amidst the general silence.

«Are you hurt?», Nila asked.

«No… Thank you»

«So… did Nene win?»

«I think it's a draw»

«Bullshit! The kid won. Gimme my dinks already!»

«She got rescued, tho! It's not fair!»

«I'm so sorry, Nene. W-what happened?»

«Don't worry. I'm not trying to make friends with… with her»

She strained from calling her “a witch”, wary of Nila's feelings. Finally, with Adanara far and gone, she managed to calm down. Nila was wearing the white coat she had tried on that morning. Not only that, her hair was perfectly combed, unlike hers. The herbalist, perhaps out of habit, examined her arm for bruises. She lifted the sleeve of her jacket and began to touch it gently. She was getting too worried over nothing, but Nene let her. She would have died of embarrassment to admit it, but that kind of attention made her happy.

«Your sister’s jealous!», Samuel said.

«Yes, she's pissed off because you and kiddo are going out together»

Nila turned frantic. She pretended to be focused on visiting Nene, but her gestures went from methodical and delicate to stiff and shaky.

«Stupid. S-stupid Ada…», she whispered.

«I don't care about your grudges», Sevika added. «I owe you three a lot, and you two are my guests. Still, remind her that I won’t tolerate troubles at my place. Is it clear?»

«Yes, o-of course. I'm sorry»

The owner seemed satisfied and went back to her chores. Nila looked like she was about to cry. Nene grabbed her hand gently, then adjusted her sleeve.

«I'm fine, really. Don't blame yourself»

Nila nodded, unaware of the four men eavesdropping on their conversations, as entertained as an audience at the theatre. Nene frowned. She got off the chair and took Nila by hand.

«Let's get out of here. Keep playing without me, you guys»

«Hey, what? You run when losing? Not cool»

Beleos slapped Kuur on the head, who sought shelter under the table. The other two laughed again. Filiam collected the cards scattered on the table.

«Come back again to play. You too, Nila»

«Get her, kid!»

They ran outside, away from those eyes that, no matter how harmless, made Nene feel suffocating, away from Adanara and her terrible temper. She led Nila to the well at the crossroads. There was a line of people with buckets coming from the main street. Preparations for the festival were still underway and she had not helped at all, despite her promise to Oto.

«Nene, slow down!»

She stopped. Nila, behind her, was out of breath. Without realising it, she had been dragging her along the whole time. She left her hand and gave her a half bow.

«I'm sorry, I got nervous. I just wanted to leave, you see…»

She avoided commenting on how her sister had gotten on her nerves. Whatever Adanara's situation was, it was clear that Nila cared deeply about her. Nene wanted to avoid hurting her feelings at all costs, although she had already, by calling Adanara "witch" and other names.

«I get it. L-let’s take a break, please»

Nila sat on a wall next to the well. People around the street were busy and ignored them, so Nene took courage and sat next to her. The herbalist didn't stop wrinkling the bottom of her coat, until she took a deep breath and looked her in the eyes.

«I-I'm sorry about my sister. She's... sometimes she acts stupid»

Nene would have lied by saying she didn't care, or by blaming it on alcohol. She didn't know that witch all that well, but there was bad blood between them. Was she supposed to forgive her? Adanara could have died for all she cared. Should she have tried for Nila's sake? Assuming that Adanara was willing to reconcile somehow.

«I think I understand how she feels», she admitted.

«Really?»

«Yes, I… This is all pretty hard for me. I'm forced to rethink everything I've been taught. I think it's the same for her. I have…»

The words got caught in her throat. Was it a good idea to talk about it? Wasn't she exposing too much? Was she crazy to lower her guard in front of a relative to a heretic? Nila, however, came closer, encouraging her to continue. She sighed.

«I have dedicated my entire life training to purge the damned. She spent most of her life hiding from the Church... Well, I think these things can't simply be forgotten»

«I think so. It's not easy, it's true, but... Look at us»

Nila took her hand and smiled at her. Nene blushed. Something inside suggested to stay alert, to figure out how she was being deceived this time. She quieted it and took Nila’s hand in return, but couldn't hold her gaze.

«Why… Aren’t you afraid of me?», she asked.

«I've n-never been afraid of you. I'm afraid of the Church. I think you’re a nice person»

She smiled. She felt stupid for not thinking of something so simple. Nila had tricked her to protect her sister. Nene understood how she felt.

«I think it's the same for me. I’m afraid of the Evil One and... things I don't know. But they intrigue me at the same time. I’m intrigued by you»

Nene’s face went on fire. What was she babbling?! Nila laughed and left her hand.

«Am I m-mysterious or something?»

«I don't know how to explain it properly…»

«You were right about m-my sister. Ever since... she was d-damned, she never was at peace. Please, f-forgive her»

The narrative has been illicitly obtained; should you discover it on Amazon, report the violation.

«I can try, but so must she»

A pang in her stomach reminded her of the horrible sensation she felt in the witch's presence. The Archangel's blessing constantly reacted to her proximity. Furthermore, what she had just said was against every moral principle. She was about to have another migraine but was determined to try and follow the Emissary's philosophy.

Nila stood up. She grabbed her by both hands and lifted her too. They were so close that Nene started to feel nervous. Their height difference was impossible not to notice. Nene leaned her head back to look at her face.

«I was right. You're a good p-person. You are not j-just an instrument of the Church»

That said, Nila held her close. Nene felt her breath caress the back of her neck. The warmth of Nila’s body wrapped her and the light pressure on her shoulders made her feel safe. She returned the hug and closed her eyes.

«Would you…»

She couldn’t muster the courage to finish the sentence. She remembered all the saccharine novels she had read in the past, their protagonists bold and sure of themselves. Acknowledging she was the exact opposite, she was afraid to take the next step.

«What?», Nila asked.

«Would you… come with me to the festival? I mean… just the two of us»

She closed her eyes again. Her heart began to throb wildly. She immediately regretted having opened her bloody mouth. On the other hand, though, she felt relieved having said what needed to be said. The thought that was tormenting her for quite some time was out of her mind.

«O-of course», Nila replied. «I-I thought we were already»

----------------------------------------

Dusk came and with it, the first night fires were lit in Kumhar’s main street. The last preparations for the festival were still ongoing. Some people were already sitting at the tables, drinking beer from large pewter mugs. The fires were being used not only for lighting but also to heat large cauldrons of soup and stew, the scent of which spread throughout the street. The stage in the centre had been completed and a group of instrumentalists sat up there, exchanging pleasantries with the mayor. All around were people still setting out benches and chairs, carrying water, pots, baskets of meat and vegetables. Nene took a quick look around the crowd, hoping to spot Oto. She saw him rolling a barrel on the ground, on the opposite side of the street.

«S-seriously? We've never done things this big in Dena»

Nene turned back and found an astonished Nila. Involving so many people and resources for a festival was surprising. In the Principality, most towns and villages could never have afforded such waste. Perhaps something similar might have happened in the Capital, but in that case, Nene would not have been allowed to take part in it. The Church advised against complacency. It was considered a weakness, like showing an exposed back to the Evil One.

«How do you think they managed?», she asked.

«I have no idea... At Sevika's tavern, I saw lots of people drinking but very little money. They barely use any coins, so how is this town so rich?»

«Yup. Oto usually trades his game for whatever he needs»

«Who’s Oto?»

«He is… I'll introduce him to you later. The Emissary welcomed me into her home, and Oto lives there too»

Nila nodded but was more focused on looking around than on their conversation. There was so much noise and shouting that it was difficult to even talk to each other.

«M-maybe we could find him now», Nila suggested. «Maybe he can guide us around»

Nene had offered to help him. She wanted to be alone with Nila but also had to keep her promise. She pointed to the boy in the crowd, who was done pushing the barrel up to a stall. She walked towards him. Nila took her hand and followed.

«Are you used to… c-crowded places?»

«Not really, but sometimes we were allowed to wander around the Capital. Don't worry, we won’t get lost»

Nila tightened her grip even more. Nene bit back a laugh, not wanting to embarrass her. Her clumsiness was understandable, having always lived in a small border village, and also somewhat cute. Seeing so many people in one place must have been a new experience for her. After some pushing and many tortuous detours, they managed to get closer to the bench where Oto was resting. The boy was drenched in sweat and drinking a steaming drink from a large mug. Seeing him so exhausted, Nene felt guilty. She approached him with a forced smile.

«Hi, Oto»

«Hello», he answered happily. «So? Did Jiriel let you in?»

«Yes. You were right... Well, this is Nila»

«The witch?»

Nene froze. Oto's frankness was disarming. Luckily, Nila stepped forward and gave him a slight bow.

«No, Adanara is m-my sister. Nice to meet you, Oto»

The boy stared at her and awkwardly imitated her gesture. What was going through his head? After a moment, he came to his senses and sprang to his feet.

«The mayor said you are special guests. There are lots of rumours going around about you. And Nene too. And the witch»

«Really? I was w-wondering if… you could e-explain me how things work here»

Nila was demonstrating social skills that Nene would never have attributed to her. She felt silly for worrying in vain.

«Okay? Don't you have fairs where you’re from?»

«Not like that», the Inquisitor said. «Only nobles organise parties for their important guests in their mansions»

«Oooooh, how do you get in, then? Do you know?», the boy asked, turning to Nila.

«I have no idea. I’m from a tiny village»

«Really?»

The boy looked at her. Nothing in Nila's appearance suggested that she was of humble origins. Nene got fooled too when she first met her.

«So, the mayor came up with everything. Today everyone can eat and drink for free»

Oto handed Nene his mug. The sweet aroma intrigued her. She grabbed it and took a sip. She felt a strong, bitter taste, followed by something sugary. She grimaced.

«What is it?»

«Coffee. A drink Jiriel invented»

She returned the mug. Her curiosity was satisfied, but that drink wasn't really for her. It was time to apologise for not showing earlier, so she got closer to Oto so that he could hear her over the crowd.

«I'm sorry. I said I would’ve helped you...», she said.

«Oh, yeah... Well, it doesn't matter. I'm done working, we can go and have fun!»

«What do you recommend?», Nila asked.

«We can go to the game counter! If you hit all the jars you win a prize! I also saw a foreigner doing tricks with torches»

«What do you think?»

Nene felt embarrassed. Oto's proposals were interesting, but she couldn’t think straight. It was partly because she couldn't think of anything other than how to make a good impression on Nila, partly because she was hungry.

«I would like to eat something. I've been fasting since this morning»

«Yes, me too…»

Oto downed his drink in one gulp. He grimaced, left the mug on the counter, then pointed to another stall not far away.

«They have pork there. It’s the best! Go, trust me»

«Aren't you coming with us?»

«No. I promised a friend to meet at the game counter. See you later!»

The boy ran away, waving goodbye. Within seconds, he disappeared into the crowd. Nila offered Nene a hand and a smile.

«Shall we?»

«Let's go»

«So you two l-live together with that angel?»

«Exactly. Oto is... the Emissary raised him like a son, I think»

«He seems fun»

«You're right. You know what? You should come and visit someday. I will ask the Emissary for permission»

«Do you t-think she'll let me in?»

«Of course. She holds no grudges against you, nor Adanara»

«I was wondering, N-Nene... Do I remember correctly? Doesn't the Church say that t-there is only one Archangel?»

«You noticed too?»

«Sure. That's why Ada and I... we were scared of her. We thought she was Him»

«The Archangel never leaves the Conclave inside the Citadel»

Suddenly, an inviting aroma reached them. The smell of fatty, roasted pork was attracting people all around the stall. A young man was searing ribs on a grill, while an older woman was giving them out to hungry passersby.

«I've n-never eaten pork», Nila confessed.

«I did, once. Oto is right, it's the absolute best»

The woman at the counter turned to them exhibiting a toothless smile. Looking closer at them, her smile turned into an intense gaze.

«I've never seen you, girls. Who are your parents?»

«Um, we…»

«Mom, they're the ones who dealt with the Fury!», the boy shouted. «Are you dumb? Everyone's talking about ‘em»

«Oh, why didn't you say so right away? Come, sweeties. Herbert, hurry up and make some more. And woe betide you if you call your mother "dumb" again! Tch, young’uns»

«Yes, mother»

«Oh, how lucky! You have come to the right place! We have the best meat in town! Our shop is over there, you see? Towards the gates. Come and visit us tomorrow, ‘kay?»

That woman's insistence was getting annoying. Nene wanted to get them both out of the way, but she couldn't think of how to. It was divine grace that came to her rescue, in the form of an angel itself

«Nene!», Jiriel chirped. «Nila! “Nila”, was it? It must be. I think»

«My Lady!»

«Hey, Jiri», the old lady greeted her.

«Yo»

The lack of formality between the two of them was impressive. A two-metre tall woman who gave off her own light, with iridescent wings on her back, did not attract much attention among people in Kumhar.

«I knew I'd find you here. I bet Oroel says stupid shit like "pig meat is the Evil One’s meal" or other nonsense. He said it, did he?»

The angel laughed heartily and alone at her joke. Nila stood still, wide-eyed, having never witnessed the Emissary's disturbing vocal imitations. Not that she knew the Archangel's voice, unlike Nene, but that change in tone was unnatural, so much so that anyone would have noticed.

«Jiri, do my mother, please», the boy begged her.

His mother slapped him on the shoulder, but Jiriel was on the loose already.

«“If it wasn’t for me, we would have closed up shop years ago!”»

She and the young man laughed. It earned the boy even more slaps, but he was a robust guy, and the blows from his petite mother left him indifferent. The imitation caused Nila to turn even stiffer, so Nene intervened.

«My Lady, what brings you here?»

«You silly! Today I’m all out! When people light fires, everyone gifts me wine and other good stuff. It’s my party too, after all! I was the one who made you three come together... Where’s Ada, by the way?»

«My s-sister... She stayed at the tavern»

«I see. I hope she’ll show up on time. Or maybe not! Like, can you imagine Sonhir’s face? When he gets angry he turns red like strawberries! Haha!»

«Your ribs, my dears», said the woman at the counter. «Remember, the shop on the left next to the gate»

They were given two wooden bowls filled with steaming meat. The intoxicating aroma distracted both from the Emissary performance. Jiriel, however, was not one to be easily ignored. She walòked between them and smelled the contents of Nene's bowl as if it belonged to her.

«Do you want some too, my Lady?», Nene asked.

«Maybe later. Have you seen Oto?»

Nila pointed in the direction where they had met shortly before.

«H-he was over there minutes ago»

«Yes, he went to the game counter, so he said. A friend was waiting for him»

Jiriel's light shone a deep blue. Her warm aura expanded abruptly. Nila hid behind Nene, frightened.

«A friend?!»

«My Lady?»

The angel tried to compose herself, with little success. Although she wore an innocent smile, her light seemed incapable of lying.

«Everything's fine. The game counter you said? I'll go right away and beat... look for him. Bye!»

The Emissary set off in a hurry, pushing away anyone in her way. She ignored everyone as she continued to march towards poor Oto.

«Was I not supposed to tell her?», Nila asked.

«No clue. I don’t get her»

«Let's get out of here»

They went the opposite direction, away from the crowd, past the stalls and tables. They found a wooden bench in front of a house along the street and sat there. Nene's mouth was watering, but she wasn't sure it was appropriate, to devour her food like a wild beast during a date.

«Did you say you had some, once?»

«Yes, at the monastery. The Prioress brought us some to celebrate the arrival of a new cadet, Elora»

«She must b-be the special sort. What was it like living there?»

Nila bit into the meat and let out a satisfied moan. Nene did the same. The sweet, fatty flavour brought back memories of that day.

«I liked it», she said. «The other cadets and I studied and trained almost all the time. I felt I was doing something good, you know?»

«A-anything else?»

«Not much. I read many books. Stories, not holy texts. For entertainment. But then Mother had them taken away from the library. She said they were too much of a distraction»

Nila looked at her hands smeared with grease. Her white coat was about to become a mess at that rate. Nene sacrificed her clothes to rummage through her pockets and took a handkerchief.

«Here»

«Oh, t-thank you. I should have thought of that before. What do you like to read, Nene?»

She blushed. It felt shameful to confess that her favourite readings were romantic novels. It would have been like admitting how she was feeling that very moment

«Well... Don't laugh, okay?»

«I won't. I promise»

«I like… stories where… ugh»

Embarrassment overwhelmed her. She looked at the ground. Her face was going on fire. Nila got closer and caressed her shoulder.

«It doesn't matter. D-don't worry»

That minuscule contact made her panic. She wondered if Nila was doing it on purpose. As innocent as Nila seemed at first glance, she was for sure smarter than she was giving off. Was it paranoia creeping into Nene, or a simple sense of inadequacy in the face of an unknown scenario?

«I like love stories», she finally confessed.

«Really? That’s something», Nila giggled. «You're the e-emotional type»

Nene made herself as small as possible. It was amazing that she had managed to say that out loud. At the monastery, she would have gotten scolded by the Abbess and endlessly teased from Liaria. After a few moments, she found the courage to look at Nila again, who, contrary to her expectations, hadn't given it too much thought, and was back eating ribs.

«What about you?», she asked.

Nila wiped her mouth before answering. She let out a satisfied sigh. She cleaned her hand and then looked up at the pink sky.

«I only read Master’s books. And Dad’s. There aren't many in Dena»

«Your studies help others. You saved lives. I, on the other hand...»

An awful spiral of dark thoughts and guilt came to be in her mind. However, she was not allowed to process them any further. Nila took her hand, pushing it all away. She stared at her as if hypnotised.

«You w-were deceived. The Church does not have all the answers. Now y-you're making it right. I appreciate it, you know?»

«Thank you»

«M-my father... He came from very far away. He said that over there they solve e-everything with science alone. Can you imagine it?»

«No», she admitted. «But… I'd like to see it»

«Me too! We could… t-travel there, someday. What do you think?»

«You and I?»

Nila nodded. Nene lost her train of thought for a moment by looking at her face. She took a breath and called upon her self-control.

«I’d love to. Yes. Let’s go and see it, that place where they thrive on science alone»