About week later—one of their seven-day weeks—the Keya and her two companions walked once again upon the breathtaking streets of Elgelica; an uncharacteristically sunny morning greeted their sun-starved eyes.

Master sported a new closely cropped hair cut instigated by Ril. A centre band from his forehead to neck remained slightly longer. It made him look quite boorish in Keya’s eyes. Supposedly, that was the goal.

Her hair, on the other hand, had been growing far too quickly of late. She could swear it was an inch longer each week. In days prior, she had taken to cinching the copious mop in multiple bands as the curls almost reached her legs.

Her comrades had argued like husband and wife over what to do with it. Keya flippantly chose something short from the pictures just to shut them up.

“I’m glad you went with something more practical, Kay, instead of Ril’s complex braid bullshit.”

Kay’s blond unruly locks were trimmed in line with the bottom of her chin. Truthfully she just wanted it short enough so she needn’t bother with all the hassle. Washing each day had inadvertently made the whole process, including drying, a chore. How spoilt am I, that the luxury of bathing in warm water with lusciously scented soaps, has become tiresome.

Jon asked, “what’s that hairstyle called?”

“The description on the tablet read ‘short shag’ I believe.”

“Hah! Figures, Ril gave you the one thing she’d never give me.”

“I seem to recall the one who takes the longest to get off is you Kel. I can practically cum on command.”

“Master and Ril please tell me, what words has your culture not associated with fornication as of yet.”

“A wise question, young Padawan!”

Ril said, “your hair looks cute Kay, you chose well. Don’t listen to this cunt.” She wrestled Master by the shoulders and ruffed his short fuzzy scalp. He smiled at the attention despite her words.

“So our Bones doubles as a beautician, ne? What a coincidence!”

“It’s true; I’m very interested in beautiful bones, one in particular.” She nestled her helmeted head on his shoulder.

How is it that I, the youngest, am the only adult here. “Both of you shut up. Let us merely enjoy this wondrous morning.” That was quite enough tawdry banter. The fresh air coupled with a cool breeze meandering through the mighty trunks made the simple act of walking nothing short of sublime.

Her feelings, by contrast, were inclement at best. A week had passed. Save for renewing their lodgings at The Cask, the only other sojourn made, was to the land they were deeded: a stealthy trip made under cover of darkness.

While it was tempting to carp on Master’s overcaution, the truth was, she revelled in it. Their first months were a simpler time, Keya had taken his commitment to train and edify her for granted. ‘Twas an honest mistake for an elf to make. Fifty years of study and training were an insignificant investment for her kind; the norm was a hundred.

But he was human, and his world, dynamic. Just as he rapidly changed Keya, so too did he rapidly change. Time with him was a limited luxury. The orc in the room was, of course, Rilian. That the two had… escalated intimacies was an occurrence not unforeseen. But it gnawed at Keya more than it should have. Why was that?

Master is a respec— no, that is perhaps too strong a word, an honourable… no. No, that also is not entirely accurate. A good man? Hmmm.

He was an evanescent human man. ‘Twas not lustful intimacy that she yearned for. However, even if she wanted to, she could never bear his children. She was over one hundred years away from becoming fecund, a child in elven years. And yet, Jonathan Kelly would perhaps manage another thirty functional years before descending into decrepitude. Another sixty years of his presence to more or less a degree, and then he was gone, dust on the wind. This was why Elves disregarded humans; attachment could only end in tragedy.

It was unfair, though the one who felt cheated was her. A rising ferocity began to grow in her chest as they practised and shared knowledge day in and out. The three of them now preparing, and Master doing his arcane ‘Theory Crafting’ as he termed it. The seconds and minutes were precious, each and every one of them.

She seared his gestures and quirks into her mind, watching diligently. One of Jon’s ‘minor’ gifts was a personal tablet equipped with a video capture eye, and she utilised it religiously to record him. These gleamed memories, she meticulously labelled and archived, that she might preserve his memory.

They were also invaluable for reviews. An annotated journal accompanied each recording, handwritten on the tablet’s infinite pages as well as copied in a paper journal. ‘Eelektro-knicks’ were amazing, but hardcopy was more natural to trust. Both tablet and book fast became her most prized possessions. The bows were lovely, very lovely, she’d never say no to more, but her greatest fear was the fading of him in time. The prospect frustrated and angered her, made her feel cold and hot all at once. It aroused a passion within her like none ever before. Such energy, she channelled into her magic, learning, and fighting.

Clenching her fist as she strode, she heard the glove creak under strain. She was ready. Every night she had flown and floated in the HAS so that now it was second nature. Master and even Ril had joined. For the goddess to fly, she had flat metal plates clasped to her harness, instead of the bulbous steel phylacteries Master wore.

Their control was tertiary and so could never manage the finesse her direct magic could. However, versatility in other ways made up for it.

In the mornings was mediation, Shalen-sun and her men sometimes joined, after which was study and planning. Afternoons were for combat training and exercise, while evenings were more diverse. Keya adored every ounce of it, but preparation had wound her up tight.

Finally, they could apply their scheme. Anticipation made her jitter as they advanced through the noble quarter of Elgelica. Caina’s manor stood up ahead.

Armoured, but unarmed, they approached the guards stationed at the open portcullis. Ril ensured her helm was fully in place, parading her fantastical beauty was a torment saved mostly for those she knew.

The guard interrogated Keya in Elven. “Caina-sena is receiving no guests. State your names and your business.”

“We three are the ones who chased the late Taegen-sun some seven days prior. If the Patriarch be willing, we would like to speak with him of the circumstances of Taegen’s demise. I am Kay Luren; this is Jon Kelly and Rilian van Ster.”

“Understood. Word will be sent to our lord. You are to wait here, and no further until permitted otherwise.” They milled about for some thirty minutes saying little while excruciatingly slow messengers hurried up to the main compound, and back down to them. Keya had grown far too accustomed to Outworld communication.

“You are to proceed. Follow these men. Do NOT deviate.”

A group of four well-armed guards led them on.

The manor was quite a pompous affair and looked more like a fortress with second and third inner walls as they meandered up a small hill. The gigantic trees of Elgelica formed the pillars of the walls in a loose square. The outer walls incorporated four trees a side, the second: only corners, and the inner stone alone. Sheer and proud, the castle manor stood alone at the summit, cast in beams of light piercing through the distant foliage.

They did not dally moving from checkpoint to checkpoint until at last, they entered the stone castle and a majestic reception hall. Shalen-sun’s abode was but a plebeian hovel in comparison. Though what she lacked in majesty, she made up for in homeliness. Comparatively, Ciana’s estate was cold and uninviting, mostly unadorned with ancient grey lichen ridden stonework, and a vaunted but lifeless and musty roof.

“Everyone’s belts okay?” Master confirmed as they ventured in. It was not a belt precisely, but it was a silver cord slung on their waists with but one hook to hold it aloft and a unique buckle. An actual belt held her leather-like leggings in place underneath.

Their escort of four moved to stations at the entrance, while the trio was gestured further forward.

An older elf presumably Elnaril Caina sat on an ornate wooden throne upon an elevated dais at the end of the long hall. His hair characteristically elven grey, although it had the look of frazzled old age rather than the youth of Sepha’s. The elven man had rough features, still elegant and angular like most elves, but marred by scaring and a repeatedly broken nose. She had seen such faces before on men who often fought with fists—a brawler in his younger years mayhaps.

Why were brawling elves a frequent fixture of late? Were they not supposed to be a civil race? Perhaps it was the company she kept, definitely that, Keya was blameless. Absently, she cracked her knuckles.

“Welcome Luren-sun and her aides!” Announced the elf, it was the very same voice from the recording. Finally meeting the shadow that harried them, stilled her nerves.

“You are trying people to find. I sought to give news of the murderer’s demise directly, but to no avail.”

There were some letters and messengers Jon might have ignored.

Keya replied. “Forgive us Caina-Sena, urgent matters needed our attention in the interim.”

“After you chased the man so avidly and remarkably, that seems rather baffling,” said Caina.

“Humour an old elf if you will. How did your troupe manage the feats you did? Even our best mages are at a loss.” A diplomatic smile plastered his face. “Strange artefacts, leaping and flying. ‘Tis the talk of the town!”

Master took up answering in Common. “It was a group effort. Everyone contributed in one or other irreplaceable way.”

He effortlessly switched tongues, “The human named Jon speaks.” He halted the six nearby guards who instigated approach when Master spoke. “Forgive my men; they are unaccustomed to a human addressing me unbidden. So, you are the leader of this merry band then?”

“Nah, we’re all equals here. Of varied circumstance, but equal standing.”

“Hah!” he barked. “A human thinking he the equal of an elf.” Caina’s tenor was that of addressing a child. “How old are you, man?”

“Like thirty-three or thirty-two. What’s the date?”

Have I missed his birthday! Keya’s heart skipped a beat.

Caina’s raucous laughter resounded through the hall.

“Ah, forgive me, human,” he was wiping away tears. “I shall be 934 this year, even in my ninth century I am older than you. The poetry of it is quite amusing.”

“Only 934!” Ril said no more, but the atmosphere decidedly chilled.

“And who might you be, masked one? You did not enter Elgelica with them. Only two lodged at the inn. Luren and the man.”

Jon gave the Alpha an impassive sidelong glance.

“The mask will remain for the moment,” said her mellifluous voice. “True immortals do not compare cock sizes. Boasting one’s age displays nothing but vacuous ego. What they have done with their time is the true measure of pride,” and a little quieter, “or shame.” Then in rebuttal, “FYI, I’m sure Jon’s cock beats yours, though.”

Master made a desperate cutting gesture on his neck. The meaning clear, Ril had yet again tread upon manure.

“That was unnecessary,” Caina replied dispassionately and lifted a gnarled hand. “Guards, have her flogged and thrown from the city.”

“Wait!” Master broke for a last-minute attempt at placation. Caina appeared to have expected as much and held the guards back again with the minimal finger waves only potentates could manage. That is, if Master’s movies were anything to go by.

“Speak infantile being. If I do not like what you say, I will cut out your tongue myself.”

“A man of action, I can respect that. Okay, I will speak plain. I’m guessing after the bar fight you were tipped off to a strange duo in town. We know you sent Light-Finger to scout our room, being subsequently painted by us you had him killed, or tried to. Taegen, an Airbowmen in your employ, got it right the second time, but we chased him through the city. Give any soldier enough trauma and crazy intel, and he’ll come running back to his commanding officer for orders. I mean, I don’t know if he was a soldier, but even hired help is gonna come tell ya what went down.”

Master pocketed his hands and shuffled back and forth as he spoke. “Anyway he came back here, and you killed him for once again being a link back to you, just like Zom-Finger—Light-Finger, same dude.”

Caina replied. “A story of a madman with no proof.” But the lord made no move to halt Master speaking.

“You killed him right about here, or here. Your floors are pretty stained; blacklight may illuminate which. Comparative blood sample on the floor, and we would have you dead to rights in the higher worlds. Anyway, we know you had him killed here because we heard the conversation and you ordering his death. A nice villainous monologue about ‘complication’.”

Caina’s expression shifted at the mention of the word.

Jon blithely continued. “Just some future advice, debriefing is very useful for extracting valuable information. Taegen could have leaked more about us if you let him live longer and interviewed him. You know, like civil people.”

“You still have no proof, Jon Kelly.” He spat out the name.

“But what I don’t get is why you came after us in the first place. An extreme amount of secrecy, all for what? An elf named Luren and her human companion? Those first few days you knew nothing more than everyone else did, but your reaction to leaks was... stark.” Master returned his full attention to the Patriarch. “So I guess what I’m asking is, what tipped you off that a Ces might be back in town after your purges.”

Caina laughed heartily for a good while at Master’s final pronouncement. “Your presumption knows no bounds, little human! I will have to screen my servants and guards once more; we appear to have a spy.”

“Was the woman spying on Sepha yours as well? I’m just wondering really.”

Caina narrowed his eyes and smiled.

Keya stepped in; she needed to know. “If you’ll not entertain a human, then tell me. My true name is Keya Ces. Are you the one responsible for the death of my family?”

Caina’s eyes widened with malicious delight at her proclamation.

Kay had been so young, details and faces were hard to remember. She felt no actual agony for the tragedy, not at all like the death of Grandpa. His passing gouged at her heart even now. The truth of it was simply the completion of some ancient rite; that the ghosts of the past be laid to rest.

“My, my, a lone survivor of the Ces family yet lives. Why I wonder did I not just invite you for lunch. You have come here and shared all your secrets without so much as a blade to your throats.”

“You see? Civility, man!” Master commented.

“Be silent filth!” Caina commanded.

“I suppose it is harmless to let you know. You three shall not be leaving here alive, after all. Yes, I spread fear and distrust of the Ces family amongst the simpletons. It is easy to provide a frenzied crowd with the tools needed to execute ‘witches’ and their ilk.”

Keya asked, “Why?”

The lord gave an honest and innocent shrug. “I have been here since the Elgelican trees were but saplings, I have guided this land for almost a millennium. Then come the Ces family with their new magics and healing. Helping the weak and curing the ill. Do you know how many poisonings they averted! And with each act, I saw my influence slip from me. Me! I built this place! None would be here save for ME.” Caina spat the words out with unbridled vitriol, before catching his breath and composure once more. “Oh, I must thank you three fools. To share my frustrations for once is quite cathartic.”

Master stuck up his hand enthusiastically, waving it in the air.

“What! What is your idiot human doing now?”

“I believe he wishes to speak.” Master never did divine the breeze, or perhaps he did too well.

“Go ahead, dead man.” Caina waved dismissively.

“Yeah, monologues are great like that. Trust me, I know. So um, ja, just a question, if you kill us, what about Sepha? I’m just saying, you know, we might have uh, made some inroads.”

“That little girl and any other council members will fall into line after your demise. That or I fear most unfortunate accidents should befall them soon. Sepha’s mother had her uses for a time; it would be tragic if she too were so obstinate.”

“Huh. That’s a relief.” Master let out one of his idiosyncratic sighs along with a few satisfied nods. “So, I’m sure you wanna know how we do it.”

“Do what?” Asked Caina.

“Move around your town unseen, pop in one place and out another. Can I retrieve something from my pack?” They were some ten yards from the lord.

“Try anything stupid, and my archers will make sure it is your last.” The four bowmen, with what appeared to be Earthbows strung arrows.

Very slowly he removed the circular folded sheet, one side silver and the other white. It was the Rift Ring Keya had first seen so long ago. It was affixed to a black mount allowing it to stand freely on flat ground. Set upright on the floor, he unfurled the sheet the white fabric facing Caina. It was a captivating scene for a first-time viewer no doubt, but it remained unactivated for the moment.

“Change is an inevitable thing Mr Caina. Estimates gauge your world to be around the 15th to 16th century, but there is no gunpowder, at least four whole continents you’ve yet to find, and most people still think the world is flat. I gotta wonder just how many inventors and discoverers you’ve killed over the years to keep the status quo.”

Jon swept his arms about the hall, taking in its venerable majesty. “Look at this place! How many hands built this keep? Who laid the wooden roofing, carved your chair, smithed the guards’ armour and weapons? We are composites of the world we build; we are not singular heroes who stand unsupported.”

The black base of the Rift mount glowed, and the screen’s interior changed.

Sepha Shalen stood at its maw; a handful of other well-dressed elves sat at a table behind her. “So, Council Leader Elnarin Caina, we have seen and heard all that has occurred here. Are there any other crimes you wish to admit to?”

Veins on the old man’s neck bulged, and his knuckles whitened on the throne. Fluid as a snake he pulled a spear from a nearby stand and launched it with blinding speed at Sepha. The silver queen’s eyes widened, but the spear harmlessly pierced through the fabric, leaving her image untarnished save for the hole. The screen wobbled mockingly as the weapon made a splintered thud in the entryway door. The more outside guards opened the door and rushed in, but did not approach.

“A trick!” said Caina.

“Yeah, well she is somewhere hearing and seeing you.” He pointed to the back mounting stand.” Short-throw projector: great for mobile entertainment.”

Sepha commanded attention once again, “Council Member Caina you are to yield to my agents and submit yourself to trial before the council. Among many admitted crimes, you will be principally tried for treason. All other guards and servants are to disarm and leave this room and keep immediately.” The pronouncement was clear, but none moved.

“Hah! Would your trusted aides leave your side Sepha? I think not. I refuse your summons girl, whatever trick this is, I deny all that was said.”

“The witness of three powerful allies and a lobbed spear say otherwise. You have made an attempt on my life directly. This is your final warning, yield.”

“No.” The reply was definitive and quiet. Then returning to the trio, his course resigned. “Any final words before I set my guards upon you. I will spill your blood here, and then I will march on to the Spire with my private garrison to restore order. It appears I have negligently let the weeds grow.” Caina idly retrieved leathers and gloved his hands as he spoke. “A series of accidents will occur this grave day. Perhaps a fire or two as well. Foreign spies were plotting against the proud and noble people of Elgelica.”

Jon, appearing completely unperturbed at their dire situation, said, “Final words, awesome! Ril, take it away.”

The Alpha stepped forward and made her helmet retract. The unleashing of her radiance expectedly shocked all who caught her visage. She turned about immobilising the guards behind. Gasps from Sepha’s council chamber could also be heard. “I just have one more question,” she sang. “What is the speed of an unladen swallow?”

That was the signal, and they dropped their silver belt cords from their hips to the ground. As the loops settled on the floor, encircling their feet, the Rifts activated. Each cable sprung into a perfect circle on activation, flipping from stone tile to hole. Keya lifted her hands above her head as she fell through. The other side was horizontally oriented in the Rift Room, and Keya felt her stomach lurch as falling switched to sliding on the polished floor.

She held back breakfast from the rapid flip of realities. Glancing askance she ascertained Jon and Ril’s simultaneous escapes were equally successful. In fact, they seemed to be competing over who had the most modish transition pose.

“Find them!” Shouted Caina out of sight.

The rifts shut and Keya retrieved her visor. Ril had surreptitiously deployed her Cam Flies during their exchange. Unbeknownst to the Patriarch, he and his retinue were still watched.