Adanara was unhappy to get so much attention from the Emissary of God. Jiriel, on the other hand, was just playing around, as usual. She stole the pointed hat that Adanara was so proud of, the one that gave Nene the shivers. The witch was visibly furious, but didn't seem to dare lash out, not at an angel. Nila laughed at her angered face, while Oto, most wisely, pretended nothing was happening and was keeping himself busy arranging the table.

Nene stood still and observed the scene. All her worries faded away, in the face of what looked like the realisation of her deepest dream. She was just a few steps away from being part of something, from belonging to a place. All she had to do was find the courage to go down there. She would have been welcome. They were waiting for her.

She took an uncertain step down the ladder. Nila was the first to notice her. She looked up, seemed surprised for a moment, then smiled. Adanara and Jiriel instead came to blows. The angel laid her hand on the witch's face, which was enough to keep her from retaliating, given the Emissary's height and strength.

«Give it back! Aren’t you supposed to be… what do I know? A hundred thousand years old hag? Why are you acting like a stupid brat?!»

«You make no sense», the angel replied. «Playing is the smartest thing one can do! I’m still amazing after so long precisely because I'm always playing. Unlike Oroel, so serious...»

«So you wanna play, huh?»

Adanara grabbed the end of Jiriel's dress and lifted it enough to peek underneath. Whatever she saw, however, left her shocked. She immediately let go and stared into space, ashamed.

«Uh? Giving up already?», the Emissary asked, eager to continue their scuffle.

«I'm… sorry», Adanara muttered.

«’Bout what?»

Nila came at the bottom of the stairs. Perhaps by coincidence, perhaps to divert their attention, she raised her voice a little more than necessary.

«Hi, Nene», she greeted.

She was suddenly being watched by every soul in the room, and blushed. She took another step.

«Hi», she replied softly.

«Ooooooooh, how cute!», the Emissary exploded. «C’me here!»

Jiriel threw the hat at Adanara and then lunged at her. She squeezed her cheeks, pressed the tip of her nose and finally laughed with satisfaction.

«T’is Mom's», she added, looking at the dress. «Oto?»

«It’s a gift», he replied.

«Such a good big brother you are!»

With the same energy, Jiriel ran to hug the boy. Nene, more uncomfortable than ever, finally managed to finish her slow, awkward descent into the room. She found herself in front of Nila and one step away from panic.

Both Nila and her sister were wearing soaking-wet capes. It was raining cats and dogs outside. The gloomy weather made the evening even darker, to the point that the sisters had brought oil lanterns with them. Wasn’t even the Emissary’s light enough to illuminate their way?

«How are you?», Nila asked. «Ada s-slept for a whole day, you know?»

The witch took off her cloak and threw it on the armchair next to the hearth. Her red and green robe combined with the pointed hat would have deprived any believer of God, let alone an Inquisitor, of their sleep.

«Sorry, I had a bit too much», she muttered.

Nila's worried look suggested that Adanara's abnormal sleep was not just caused by tiredness.

«It happened to me as well», Nene said. «To be honest, I woke up just a little while ago»

«And the first thing you did was dress up?» the witch pointed out.

Adanara's unwanted comments felt by then inevitable and irrelevant. For some reason, though, that specific one bothered Nene. Nila got closer, as if to come to her aid.

«Are you jealous? I-I think she's pretty»

Nene went on fire. Adanara looked at her for a moment and clicked her tongue.

«You never told me that...», she mumbled.

Nila smiled and Nene finally relaxed a little. For reasons she wasn’t ready to admit, Nila’s approval meant a lot to her. She pointed to the hearth.

«You can leave the cloak there, if you want», she said.

«Oh, s-sure. Thanks»

Nila imitated her sister's gesture, albeit with more delicacy, thus avoiding flooding the floor. Removing the cape, she revealed an expensive-looking ocher coat. An evil grin arose on Adanara's face, as she fell onto her sister's shoulders.

«You know, Nene, she spent hours getting dressed too. She couldn’t choose, as if it was her wedding»

«Stop it!», Nila protested. «Jiriel invited us, it's only right to be p-presentable»

«Then why did you keep saying things like “Will she like this? Or maybe this”? Were you talking about Jiriel all along?»

Nila closed her eyes for a moment. Even though she had been chosen as Adanara's next victim, despite her initial embarrassed reaction, her posture began to exude confidence.

«No», she replied calmly. «I was talking about Nene. I w-wanted her to like it»

Her bluntness made Nene uncomfortable, but more importantly it infuriated her sister, who began shaking Nila by the shoulders.

«Aaah! Stop it! Don't even say it as a joke!»

«You s-started it. Don't ask me questions if you don't want to hear the answer»

Adanara snorted, kicked the ground and stomped toward the table. Jiriel had just finished tormenting, or rather, expressing her affection towards Oto, so she offered her a chair. The witch plopped down on it, crossed her arms, and pouted.

«Dinner’s ready», Oto said.

Nila held out her hand to Nene, along with yet another smile.

«Shall we?»

She accepted the hold. She felt light, as if an immense weight had been lifted from her heart. Her bare feet on the cool floor helped her find relief from the sensation of tremendous heat she was feeling.

«Yes», she replied.

«Let's sit close. My sis will go nuts»

«I'm in»

Nene took a seat across from Adanara, and Nila stood next to her. The witch stared at them and then turned to the side. In doing so, she found herself face to face with Jiriel, who grabbed her arm with a satisfied grin.

«Adelyn, my dear, I'm no expert, but I've heard that humans who are always angry age faster»

«Grant me a wish then, Fairyel», she replied.

«Do you wish to be young forever?»

«Or let me get over this bad mood...»

«Uhm... Wish-granting magic doesn't exist, but... I have an idea!»

The Emissary reached under the table and retrieved a bottle of wine, looking satisfied. She poured the contents into a glass and handed it to the witch. Adanara kept her sulk, but accepted the offer.

«Oto, do we have any more glasses?», the angel asked.

«They’re under the stairs»

«What?! What a silly place to keep them! Who put them there?»

«You did»

Jiriel laughed heartily and went to retrieve the glasses. She rubbed them on her dress to clean them of dust (of course, they turned crystal clear) and poured wine for everyone.

«When mortals drink, they become chatty», she gloated. «And the chatties tell interesting stories»

«Right. We promised to tell you about our trip»

«Exactly! And I was sooo patient… I even let you rest all day. Oto was bullying me yesterday, he didn't want to tell me anything!», she whined.

«I was tired», he protested. «Now we can tell you everything while we have dinner»

The boy placed a stack of wooden bowls at the end of the table. Next to it lay the pot, resting on a metal perch, raised off the floor. He uncovered it and a scent of meat and legumes came out. Adanara smiled.

«I wanna eat too!» Jiriel chirped.

«Okay», Oto said. «Can you pass it on to the others?»

Adanara, who was closest to the pot, handed the bowl full of boiled meat and lentils to her sister. She gave the second to Nene, together with a scornful look, and the third to Jiriel, who seemed exceedingly amused by the situation. After serving everyone, Oto sat at the head of the table on the side of the kettle, opposite the hearth.

Nene, out of habit, waited for Jiriel's permission to eat, just as the Abbess used to do at the monastery. She realised it was foolish when she saw Adanara take a spoonful of boiled meat.

«You did wonders with that horrible animal at the Cloud Folk's sanctuary, with decent ingredients you can do even better», she exclaimed with satisfaction. «Can I eat here every day?»

«If S-Sevika heard you, you’d be in trouble», Nila said.

«Nothing against Pranav's cooking, but Oto is on a whole nother level»

The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

«You mean it?», he asked.

«I raised him!», Jiriel boasted. «You’re welcome»

The Emissary kept pouring wine as soon as she saw an empty glass. Seeing her "eat" was something truly unusual and pleasant, since it gave her a more approachable, humane look… Except for the fact that what she was actually doing was to open her mouth wide and to throw food in, which disappeared without any chewing or swallowing being involved.

«This morning I-I went to the mayor», Nila said. «I asked him about the two k-knights we escorted here»

«How are they faring?», Nene asked.

«He said they work at a farm on the side of the hill. I-I didn't have time to visit them»

«A happy ending», Adanara intervened. «They will no longer have to fight ever»

«Come on, it's time!» Jiriel cried. «Tell me about it! I wanna know everything since you left»

«We saw the will-o'-the-wisps!», said Oto. «We also were able to catch a couple»

They summarised the events of their journey to the Emissary, through the forest to the hunting lodge. Oto dwelt on the details of how they had restored the building and bathed in the river, causing Nene embarrassment. They went on about how they discovered the Lightbringer’s camp, their first contact with Emeria and Dolano and the ongoing war with the Cloud Folk. They told her of the knight’s General and the history of his people. Jiriel almost climbed onto the table, overcome with enthusiasm, when she heard about the cave inhabited by the two spirits, Shilfi and Rune, and the bizarre phenomena that occurred there. She tried to push aside Adanara's hair with one hand to peek at her battered ear, but the witch pushed her away forcefully. She feigned ignorance when they told her how Kora didn't have nice memories of her, having ruined one of their ceremonies, insisting they were friends. She had to defend herself from Adanara's blows when she discovered that the angel knew about the dragon from the beginning and that she had not mentioned it as she did not consider it relevant, since he was imprisoned.

The story of how they freed Moka was the most painful part. Nene asked the Emissary for forgiveness for violating her promise as Inquisitor, for taking an innocent soul. Jiriel consoled her and complimented both her and Adanara for protecting each other. The atmosphere became gloomy as they remembered how Kora had gone out of control, the battle with the dragon and the subsequent annihilation of the Lightbringers.

After hearing the whole story and ruining the atmosphere, Jiriel offered another round of wine. They all refused, except Adanara.

«So, Ada, what have you learned? Show me!», the angel said.

The witch took a sip of wine. Her face was flushed, her expression dark.

«You think it's funny?»

«Learning is fun! Isn’t it…?»

«Then look»

The flame on the hearth began to stir more than usual. The drafts in the house became more intense, chills whistled between the rafters. Then everything turned quiet.

«Uh?», Jiriel muttered. «Did you do something?»

Adanara's grin startled Nene, who didn't have time to react. A roar enveloped the room, an invisible force, a gust overwhelmed Jiriel. Her bowl flew through the air, her hair, her dress, her wings were yanked back. The Emissary lost her balance and fell from her chair with a thud. She hit her head on the floor and was left upside down.

«My Lady!»

Her laughter caught Nene off guard. Oto laughed too, only Nila seemed to share her concern. Jiriel sat up, her hair dishevelled, but nothing more.

«You did that with the gift of the Evil One? Or Shilfi? I’m not sure I follow»

«Dunno? It works, it’s enough for me»

«Ah, how times change!», the angel stated enthusiastically. «Yave’s world is always interesting. Mortals invent new stuff every day! I can't wait to meet one of these "spirits"»

«Are you okay?»

«Huh? Yes, of course… Oh, no, the floor is a mess!»

The Emissary ran to find something to clean up the mess caused by Adanara, who went back to sip her wine, satisfied with her demonstration. Nene stared at her, confused by what had just happened: a witch had knocked out an angel of God. What was she supposed to think about that?

«What are you looking at?»

«Oh, um… Nothing. Sorry»

Oto went to help Jiriel. Meanwhile, Adanara rested her elbows on the table and moved closer.

«Listen to me, you brat...», she slurred.

«Ada, s-stop it. You drank enough»

«If you want…», she sobbed. «If you want my sister, you’ll have to kill me first!»

«Ada!»

«You're talking nonsense», Nene replied.

«I'm dead serious!»

«Not even someone like you deserves to be killed»

«“Someone like me”? Here she is again, the judging nun!»

«Stop it!»

Nene took a breath and tried to calm down. Adanara was capable of bringing out her worst side. Noticing Nila's pained expression, she felt guilty.

«I'm sorry, I didn't mean to»

Nila caressed her face, which angered her sister even more. She pounded the table with her fists. Jiriel, with an amused look, sat down next to her and did the same.

«The one who makes the most noise is the winner!», she said.

«You really are a moronic angel»

Nene was stunned. Normally, she would have jumped at the witch's throat for daring to insult the Emissary, but given what had happened earlier, she remained calm and observed. Jiriel didn't bat an eyelid. She brought her face closer to Adanara's, who instinctively retreated.

«Afraid of losing?», she challenged her.

«Fuck off»

The witch turned her back to her. Jiriel started bragging about winning and Oto applauded. Adanara sought support from her sister. Nila ignored her and, as if to make a statement, she took Nene by hand. Nene felt uncomfortable, both at having once again ended up at the centre of their dispute, and at that public display of affection. Contrary to her expectations, however, the Emissary did not say a word on the matter.

«What now?», Jiriel asked. «Adelyn is safe, the people of Kumhar can hunt in the forest once again... What will you do now?»

«I have an idea», Nila said. «T-this morning I went to the mayor for a reason»

«Oh, let's hear it»

The woman reached into her pocket and took out the buttercorn seed she had received from Kora. The Emissary was about to snatch it from her hand, but at the last moment she remembered manners and asked permission. Having obtained it, she looked at the seed with bright eyes, fascinated as usual by the smallest of things, as long as they were new.

«I want to start my own f-farm. The mayor has already found me a a-accommodation»

Adanara turned to them again. Her hostile attitude disappeared, giving way to worry.

«You didn't tell me»

«I thought of doing it now», her sister replied. «To be honest, I didn't think I would b-be so lucky»

«So... you're leaving?»

«No, I'm not leaving. T-there is a farm outside the village, it belonged to t-two families, but one is no longer there, and the second c-can't manage the business on its own. They proposed me taking it over»

«What about your studies, then?»

«Without Master Ezio, I don't have much to study...», she said melancholy. «B-but... well, you could come with me, Ada»

The witch folded her arms. She squinted as she regained some clarity of mind, despite the alcohol.

«I'll think about it»

«Will you plant the magical seed?», Oto asked.

«I think so. C-could I have it back?»

Jiriel reluctantly returned it. Nila hid it for safety, away from the Emissary's greedy gaze.

«How did you manage?», Nene asked.

«What do you mean?»

«Well... In the Principality, something like that would cost a fortune»

«In the Principality the nobles and the rich own everything», Adanara grumbled. «Nila, have you become rich? A noble?»

«Erm... No. The mayor told us, didn't he? That in exchange for our services to the community we could claim some property»

«We haven't done anything yet», Nene observed.

«A-actually, we did. The mayor gave us the credit of having reopened the hunting area in the forest»

«Indeed... but is something like that worth as much as an entire farm?»

Her sister's insistent questions made Nila uncomfortable, so she hunched her shoulders and began playing with the spoon in her bowl. Oto misunderstood and poured more food from the kettle. She took a bite.

«The f-farm has… a lot of debts. I'll have to pay them, first thing»

«Debts exist here too?!»

«The f-families that owned it before a-asked favours from many artisans. Before e-everything went downhill for them…»

«That's why you didn't tell me anything!», Adanara yelled. «You knew I would be against it. You've taken over a bunch of debts! Why?»

«B-because…», Nila's voice became tiny. «I think I can make it work»

Adanara sighed loudly and covered her face. Nila ate in silence, amidst the curious looks of everyone else.

«Oh, I know!», Jiriel said, raising her hand. «This has already happened in the past!»

«Yeah», the witch growled. «My sister thinks she can fix everything with willpower alone»

«It's not true!», she defended herself. «But, well... I-I would be happy if you could help me»

«Nope»

Adanara's blunt response left everybody in dismay. The Emissary sipped noisily from her glass and didn’t take her eyes off the sisters, as if she were witnessing a play.

«Are you… doing this out of spite?»

«I would never do that!», Adanara said. «But I don't wanna toil in the fields. I'm sorry»

Nene watched the scene, thoughtful. The Emissary had promised to help her be happy, but she hadn't contributed much, until then. She watched her Lady drink blissfully, her usual dumb expression, and felt a certain sense of anger and disappointment. She lay a hand on Nila's shoulder, finally determined to take care of it herself.

«I'll help you», she declared.

Her head felt a little light, perhaps still exhausted from the journey, perhaps because of the wine. Nila looked at her with teary eyes, which filled her with joy. Adanara clicked her tongue.

«You? How? Tell me», she challenged her.

Nene ignored her, and turned to the Emissary.

«My Lady, allow me, please», she bowed her head.

«Huh? Me? Do whatever you want»

«Thank you, my Lady»

«You're welcome, I guess? You're a weird one»

«Nene!», Nila cheered. «A-are you sure?»

«We had already discussed it, remember? Also… I have no other commitments»

«No more Inquisition?», Adanara prodded her.

She slammed a hand on the table, startling the witch. It was the wine talking for sure, but that didn't stop her.

«I will never give up fighting the Evil One! But I can't train or study in this place, so…»

«We'll buy books!», Nila said. «W-with the first harvest I will build a library»

«A library?!», Jiriel almost fainted. «You mean those huge buildings, full of books and strange instruments?»

«Wait a minute, you're not thinking straight, now», Adanara objected, but was ignored.

«Yes, a library! For all the people of Kumhar. Y-you too, Oto, you could learn to read and w-write»

«What's the point of reading and writing?», he asked.

Adanara stood up and went to sit by the fireplace. Her demeanour almost made Nila burst out laughing, to the point that she had to cover her mouth with both hands. The witch was immediately joined by Jiriel, who had been unsurprisingly clingy to her throughout the evening.

«It can be useful for learning new things from books, or writing letters», Nene explained.

The boy shrugged, clearly not interested in the matter.

«So... Are you going to leave the house?», he asked.

Nila cleared her throat, thus intercepting the question. She had a serious and thoughtful expression now that she was done provoking her sister for fun.

«Actually, I-I thought y-you could all help me, in your own way»

«That is?»

«Well, Oto, everyone knows you in town, right? I-if you two could help me s-sell my harvest at the market, that would be ideal»

«Sell?». he asked. «In exchange for what?»

«Whatever we need», Nila explained. «T-that's how it works around here, right?»

«So… you will have a stall at the market? Can I sell excess game there?»

«Of course. Why not»

«Then Nene and I will work together!», he cheered.

«Okay, I'm in», she said. «We can do it»

Nila kept wrinkling her dress, agitated. Nene craned her neck questioningly. The woman stared back, but didn't give in, and turned her attention elsewhere.

«I-I'm not taking your little sister away from you, Oto. Don't worry»

The boy gave her an approving thumbs up. Nila's voice was little more than a whisper, as she was visibly embarrassed.

«What’s the matter?». Nene asked.

She hesitated to answer. Her gaze kept darting between her and Adanara. Clearly, something was bothering her.

«Tomorrow… T-tomorrow will you come with me to see the f-farm?»

«Gladly. Haven't you visited it yet?»

«Actually, yes. I s-spent all day tidying up»

«How is it going?»

«The accommodations are in good condition and Ghiormar, the o-old owner, has sown some fields with c-carrots»

Nila came very close to her and added in a low voice.

«I think I'll move there in a few days», she said, eyeing Adanara.

Nene nodded. Surely her sister would have started screaming again upon receiving such news. In the past, Nila had always managed to patch things up between the two of them, but it seemed to be easier when they discussed things privately, rather than in Nene's presence.

«Come tomorrow, in the afternoon»

She nodded again. Part of her thought Nila wasn't telling her everything, but maybe she would have found out the next day.