‘Now, are you aiming for “wife” or “mistress”? There is quite a different style attached to each. And do please stop wriggling.’ Jalmi was sat in front of her, allowing Janaxia to work on her hair. ‘The captain is rather fetching, I have to say. And he was adopted into his family? Interesting.’

Jalmi probably would have nodded if Janaxia hadn’t been gripping her hair quite as strongly. It was nice and thick, and now starting to shine with a glossy lustre, thanks to the application of some high-quality unguents. ‘Yeah, old man Awdelly didn’t have any heirs. Took Dalin in for some reason.’

‘Yes, before his passing I believe he was known to harbour some rather strange beliefs about the nobility of the common man. Although Captain Dalin does certainly have a certain flair to him.’ She teased a recalcitrant lock into position, falling in a rather fetching fashion around an ear. If only Stathis was quite so compliant!

‘Yeah, but you know what these noble bitches are like. They all go crazy for a bit of rough! And it’s not like I can complete with them.’

‘Nonsense. You are a revolutionary leader and an accomplished thief. And actually quite fetching, once dressed appropriately. Although this is more of a “mistress” ensemble, I have to say.’ The neckline was far more flattering than the briskly business-like waistcoat and shirt she had been wearing, and it had only taken a few applications of magical cleansing to wipe the dirt and grime off her face and arms, but it was perhaps a touch overt in the amount it displayed. ‘Semari, if you must loiter around, could you at least stay out of the light! This is a delicate operation. Should you not be resting after your fighting?’ Semari was fiddling around with the costumes and cosmetics, and generally making a nuisance of herself. ‘Could you at least keep your fingers out of the pigments? And could you hand me one of those barrettes? One of the black ones? A little tawdry, but just to add a little something.’

‘So, like, what happened with you and Stathis? You’ve been super-pissy, and it looks like you got tied up. And you never normally dress like that, you’re normally all, like, on display and stuff.’

Janaxia shifted uncomfortably. It was true that full black was certainly not her usual choice, nor a fit quite so strict and severe (although not unflattering; there were, after all, still standards to maintain). But coming to in a squalid alleyway had been decidedly upsetting, and she wasn’t quite sure what to make of Stathis’s babble about some “fever” or suchlike – she remembered going to the temple with Stathis, but then her memories fragmented, only scattered flashes of a searing, burning sensation, similar to when she had been pierced by that accursed unicorn. And then she had come to in that alleyway, clad only in her grimy, sweat-stained underclothes. Not that Stathis would have done anything untoward – she was reticent in such matters, almost to the point of annoyance; to show scarcely a glimmer of interest was, at this point, simply plain rude! She twisted her wrist, the bracelet uncomfortably warm against her skin.

At least Jalmi was willing to listen to advice and had only needed a little persuasion to try on a variety of outfits. Her magic was, sadly, unable to affect others, but this place was amply stocked. All her criminal activities had done wonders for her physique, and a pair of breeches hugged her legs in a most attractive manner. A halter neck blouse married form and function, giving her the freedom of movement that she needed to fight, but also to look suitably dashing while doing so. If needed, she could even wear armour over the top – it would quite ruin the look of the thing, but some level of protection would be sensible if a fight were to happen. Although perhaps a breastplate could work?

Janaxia was bought out of her reverie by Semari poking her again. ‘So, yeah, what’s gotten you all het up? I know this place might not be as fancy as you’re used to, but that’s no reason to be shitty about it.’

‘Oh, the accommodations are functional, I suppose. Now, Jalmi, please close your eyes. No, there was simply some awkwardness at the temple.’ She began brushing onto Jalmi’s face.

‘Oooo, did you, like, summon up a demon-monster? Bet that got weird.’

‘I did no such thing! No, I simply felt a touch overwhelmed, or so I’m told. It was most discomfiting, truth be told. Although finding myself all-but-naked in a dirty alleyway was most unpleasant!’

‘Not your first time, I’m guessing?’

Jalmi snorted, almost throwing off Janaxia’s work. ‘There is no need to be crude! And no, I have never before awoken in quite so rank a place. Unlike you, I rarely drink to excess, or partake of strange, mind-altering substances. Now, Jalmi, to return to my earlier question – are you looking to make the good Captain your lover, or your husband?’ She fluffed and rearranged Jalmi’s hair, switching it between different styles – loose and tousled for a more seductive look, or into an elegant ponytail for a more demure, yet still very fetching, appearance.

‘Well, it’d be nice not to have to work so much, get a job in the guard or something. But they don’t take folk from Undercliff, think we’re all crims and scum.’

‘Ah, there does seem to be a certain aura of dissatisfaction in the air. I take it that this goes beyond the usual grumblings about taxation and so forth? I seem to recall hearing about some focused unpleasantness a few years ago, that led to the unexpected demise of the previous Duke.’

Semari nodded. ‘Yeah, everything was on fire. And they had a monster eating people in the arena, so everything was pretty shit.’

‘I had to pull Dalin’s ass out of the fire. The Armripper had ganked his boss, and he wanted to go after them. Would’ve ended up beaten to death if I hadn’t talked him out of it. Well, I say “talked”, had to lay him out with a punch.’

‘So, you are seeking a lengthy pairing then? I daresay you are well-matched. And certainly a more appropriate pair than he and that shameless hussy of a guard.’

She felt Jalmi bridle beneath her. ‘Yeah, I don’t know where she’s from, but she showed up a few months back, stuck to him tight as anything. Guess she used to be an adventurer?’

‘Yes, she does seem to share some history with Stathis as well, it appears she may make a habit of such shamelessness. I am forced to assume that they must have worked together in the past, and she used that as an excuse to ingratiate herself to her betters. You should keep an eye on that one, Jalmi. She may have further designs above her station. Now, I believe this suits you, as well as being quite functional should you need to engage in violence and similar unpleasantness.’ She assembled Jalmi’s hair into a ponytail, holding it there for inspection. There was a natural waviness to her hair that made the shape more lively and appealing, and would likely look even better when moving. And with a mask covering her face, it would be quite the image of an enigmatic and mysterious attacker. ‘Is this to your liking?’

Semari moved, once again blocking the light. ‘Nice, that’s a good look for you! What was that about the Armripper? Sounds like a badass.’

Janaxia busied herself with makeup, as Jalmi explained. ‘It was during all the fires and riots. They ripped people’s arms off to use as weapons, destroyed most of the gang leaders in a single night, killed the old duke, then vanished. Everything got a bit crazy, and ended up with the fire. Not that the old duke wasn’t a dick, but it took quite a while for everything to calm down afterwards.’

‘Sounds like a rather dubious character, I must say. And they only appeared once? It may have been some demon or suchlike, such casual brutality and disregard for social norms would be entirely normal for such entities.’

‘So, like, what else do people say about the Armripper? That they were ten feet tall and like a brick shithouse, and a complete badass?’ Semari was punching the air, looking excessively excited.

Janaxia sighed. ‘Please don’t tell me that this rather loathsome sounding individual was an acquaintance of yours? They sound overly disreputable, even by your low standards.’

‘According to the stories, they had red eyes and could make the shadows dance. They slaughtered most of the guard and then drove their blade into the old Duke’s heart, after unleashing some monster into the arena.’

Semari punched the air in indignation. ‘That’s not fair! I did all the work, Kethys just killed some old dude. And, yeah, OK, I guess a load of guards on the way. But I was the one that beat up all the gang bosses and stuff, and let blobby go free. Just ‘cos she’s a dark elf, she gets all the credit, that’s cheating!’

‘Am I to understand that you are not only responsible for the death of the previous Duke, but that you disrupted the criminal underground to such a degree that, over a decade later, it has attained the status of a local legend? While I dislike casting aspersions upon my colleagues, I would suggest that this is somewhat beyond the pale, even for the low standard you set yourself. And quite where did you come to acquire an arm as a weapon? That sounds positively grotesque!’

‘Well, I was off my tits on drugs at the time, so I’m not quite sure. But it wasn’t like, a real arm. It was a wooden one. And I was going through a bit of a phase anyway. Turns out that beating people with their own limbs is a pain, and takes ages. And it’s really messy.’

‘So you assaulted and robbed a cripple, whilst impaired on narcotics? That’s scarcely an improvement, I feel! Nevertheless, Jalmi, I believe your appearance is now much improved – you now look significantly better suited for any appearances as a dashing freedom fighter and revolutionary. Certainly far improved from a roguish thug and brigand, I feel.’

It would have been nice if Jalmi had taken a moment to appreciate the work that Janaxia had put in, but instead she twisted around to look at Semari. ‘That was you? Really?’

‘Yeah, that was a strange job. But wrathweed, wow. That stuff will mess you right up. Like, whoah, it’s bad. Although be funny to see what happens if you were to take it, Janaxia. You’re all weak and floppy, so you’d just flap around, I guess.’ She flailed her arms with deliberate weakness.

‘Such things are entirely outside my interests. While some substances can be soothing and relaxing, I prefer to avoid the stronger ones, especially such a thing as wrathweed. Anyway, Jalmi, what are your next plans? You struck a successful blow last night, and should, ideally, follow up as swiftly as possible. And of course, a change of leader may make your own plans to follow the Captain into the guard easier to achieve, as well as smoothing his own promotion. And there is some demonic taint afoot, which should be eliminated posthaste, lest we have to endure a repeat of the events at Redcastle.’

‘Yeah, demons are crappy. Jalmi, you know anything about demons? Like, evil sacrifices and orgies and stuff up in the castle, you know what nobles are like. You end up with people like her after a while.’ She pointed at Janaxia.

‘There is no need to be rude. Simply because my ancestors were successful in their conquest is no reason to assume they were evil; in times of war, harsh tactics are often called for. And I have no truck with demons myself, they are notably poor companions, and their attempts at persuasion likely grow tiresome after a while. Nevertheless, it seems some villainy is afoot here, and it should be stamped out. Stathis appears to be launching her own investigation, but I daresay we can manage without her, and possibly help the unfortunates of this place.’ She carefully pulled a mask into place on Jalmi’s face, making sure it covered her facial tattoos – striking, to be sure, but something of a disadvantage when trying to disguise one’s identity. ‘So, Jalmi, what are your plans? Are you aware of any outbreaks of demonic activity?’

‘There’s the old Embrelas tower, up on the cliff. There’s been rumours of weird stuff going on there, and something fancy happening today. Some of my friends are working as staff.’

‘That sounds appropriate. If you can round up your men, Jalmi, then another mission may be in order. Of course, it would be better if they were to be suitably attired first, rather than in their usual raggedy clothing. And the masks, of course. Quite impactful, I think. And of course, we should keep an eye out for any signs of demonic activity.’

Semari sidled closer again, awkwardly playing with some of the costume jewellery. Well, it was nice to see her paying some interest, even if a necklace wasn’t intended to be whipped through the air as a weapon with quite that much vigour. ‘You sure this is OK? Seems like it could get messy without Stathis.’

‘Nonsense. This is no different than Redcastle, although hopefully with a better outcome. Stathis, sadly, is pursuing her own investigations, but we will be sure to share information when we can. There is clearly something untoward happening here, and it falls to us to investigate it. And, of course, Jalmi has an unjust leader to endure, and a guard captain to woo. Stathis, if she were here, would agree, but she has chosen to be elsewhere, and so it falls to us.’

‘Sure, but are you feeling OK? You’re looking a bit, like, shiny. And Stathis said you’d been all weird at the temple. You’re not, like, possessed or something are you?’

Janaxia checked her wrists, the indentations into her skin now mostly faded, but the bracelet was fever-warm, her skin paler where it touched. ‘Regardless, I feel quite fine now. So, if we gather up our forces, then we can begin. We should, of course, avoid unnecessary bloodshed, but a scouting expedition is necessary. And there may be some evil sorcery of some kind to fight – I daresay I will manage though. And please try to refrain from dismembering anyone, to say nothing of using severed limbs as weapons, Semari. Try and maintain some standards, please.’

‘It was a phase! Gods, you rip one arm off, and suddenly it’s a whole thing. You going for that look then? Looks like you should be lurking in a palace, giving dodgy advice and seducing the princess with a poisoned apple or something. Must be warmer than your usual as well, no vents for heat.’

‘If we are to disguise ourselves, then I feel this may be more appropriate. A certain amount of distinction from what is usual is only correct, given the circumstances.’

‘Yeah, but the horns? Bit of a giveaway? Like, not many people have them.’

Jalmi shifted. ‘Are those real? I thought they were a headband.’

‘Nah, there was like a lady-demon, and then Janaxia ended up with her horns.’ Semari put her hands against her own head, imitating their shape. ‘Could try nutting someone, see how that works?’

‘Unless you have anything useful to say, Semari, do kindly keep quiet. I think they are rather fetching. Now, Jalmi, this is to be a brief scouting mission. It should be easy enough to infiltrate the tower, and then investigate. I would suggest heading downwards if possible, as any important equipment is likely to be secure on the lower levels. And do try and remember to liberate some wealth, to spread amongst your compatriots – dislike of your lord will only carry a revolution so far, while loot and wealth carry their own conviction.’

‘We need to go after the wagons, still got no idea where they’re carting people off to!’ As Jalmi spoke, tone angry, Janaxia had to rearrange her hair again, a clip shaking itself loose.

‘Indeed. Stathis may well have some success with her investigations there. Although hopefully there will be a chance to inform her of our endeavours towards a peaceful transition. If she weren’t so busy and prone to thoughtless action, then our task would be easier, but she does think with her sword overmuch.’

Jalmi nodded again. ‘Thanks for the help. It’s good to be doing something! Maybe even push that bastard out of control. Nobles are always dicks, but he’s even worse, gods only know what’s happening to those taken. And whatever the hell is going on with the bracelets. You’re a wizard, can you tell if there’s anything up with them? Most of Undercliff is tagged now.’

Janaxia studied the bracelet. There was doubtless some magic there, but such things were beyond her ken. She tapped the seal, a poorly-crafted piece of metal, bearing a horribly misshapen rendition of a ducal crest, feeling a flicker of warmth in her finger. ‘There is some power there, to be sure. Quite what it does, I’m afraid I cannot tell.’