The battle around the arena was mostly over, only a few scattered groups of guards still holding out, pinned into rooms without much hope of escape. A few more of the beasts had been killed, bodies dragged out and put to the torch. Stathis did what she could to keep things orderly, and to keep the guards from being savaged too excessively, although a certain level of rough justice was inevitable, especially when a hidden chamber, full of the remnants of past prisoners, was found.

Once the fires around the stake died, Stathis went to check through the ashes, checking that the wizard had died there. His misshapen skull was easy to spot, mottled an eerie half-black colour, the horns seemingly made of obsidian, melding into the skull. The rest of his bones were similarly warped and miscoloured, the ribcage partway through fusing into a solid block. Stathis poked around the ash, finding a green marble, wrapped and bound with iron bands, fused to his ribcage. She pulled it out, ignoring the flare of heat she felt. That just left the staff – she pulled the metal part off, being careful not to touch it, before snapping the staff. Mystic energy lashed out, green energy arcing and sparking out, earthing itself through her armour, scorching the nearby ground with a loud bang.

She shook her head to clear the ringing sound from her ears. The blade was made of the same strange, patina covered metal as the summoned tendrils had been, looking grown rather than forged, the surfaces rough and bumpy, even the edges covered with their own smaller ridges and spikes. When she touched it, there was the blazing heat again, as though her soul were being branded, the scratch from it aching and throbbing.

‘You doin’ OK? Lookin’ a bit rough.’ Brina approached. ‘Looks like things here are settlin’ down here. Not heard anythin’ from the castle, although somethin’s on fire up there.’ She gestured at a plume of smoke coming from the vicinity of the castle.

‘We should get check that out, shouldn’t we? There’s still that masked bunch to worry about as well. Still, at least this got sorted. Oh, Hakara, can you have a look at this?’ She handed over the green marble. ‘Any idea what this is?’

‘It looks to be a demon-heart, although a very small one. Where did you find it?’ Hakara seemed uninjured, aside from a few scuffs on her clothing.

‘Inside the wizard. I’m pretty sure that’s not normal, right?’

‘Humans can’t turn into demons, that’s impossible!’ She paused. ‘At least without a vast amount of magical power.’ Stathis tried not to look at Janaxia, still stiff-backed and indignant about something, but without anywhere else to go, drifting around the periphery of the conversation.

‘Can it be destroyed safely? It’s not going to explode or anything?’

‘It appears quiescent, although I would advise against eating it, or applying it to a wound.’ She gestured, arcane energy spinning around the sphere, pulling it from Stathis’ hand. It hovered there for a moment, dark spikes stabbing out into the blue energy. Then it suddenly shot away, flying towards Janaxia and striking her in the neck, fragmenting into shards. She whirled around, looking towards them, storming over indignantly while rubbing the impact wound.

‘Is there some reason you are accosting me in such a vulgar manner?’

Hakara squeaked nervously, as Stathis tried to explain. ‘Sorry, it was an accident. Something about this place must have messed up Hakara’s magic. Shall I check the wound for you?’

Janaxia humphed, but removed her hand and tilted her head, sweeping hair out of the way. Even despite fighting since before dawn, she stilled smelt good, something sweet, and less floral than her usual. Stathis made a show of checking it, although it was barely even a bruise, carefully feeling around the abrasion, gently pushing on it. ‘I think you’ll be fine, it didn’t break the skin. Are you feeling OK?’ She was still wearing the stiff black outfit, and so probably upset about something.

‘I will survive, I daresay. It has been rather more training than anticipated though; between the awkwardness at the temple, and now all this fuss, it has been a rather trying few days. Quite far from the relaxing break I was hoping for!’

‘Well, it’s not over yet. There’s still those masked demon-cult dudes to go after. And whatever’s happening up at the palace.’

Janaxia turned to look at her, almost stabbing her with a horn. ‘I do not know why you keep raising them as a threat. I explained the matter to you last night, before your incarceration.’ She stamped down on the remnants of the marble, crushing the shards beneath her foot.

‘What? I don’t remember that. When was that?’

‘Last night. As I say, before you were apprehended. I would rather have spoken to you in private, but you were rather drowsy. This one’, she gestured at Brina dismissively, ‘stayed asleep throughout.’

Brina clicked her fingers. ‘Oh, was she doin’ that thing where she’s sleepin’ with her eyes open, and sittin’ up? Creeped me the hell out once or twice, she’ll nod along, but she’s spark out throughout, don’t remember a thing. Wakes up if you start doin’ stuff, but she’s dead to conversation. You never noticed before?’

‘That sounds highly improbable. Stathis, is this true? Do you remember nothing of last night?’

‘Well, I remember the fight, and getting arrested and so on, but not you telling me anything. Although, is that why I could smell you when I woke up? What did you tell me?’

‘Simply that myself and Semari had been aiding Jalmi with her revolutionary efforts. Although we were more successful than anticipated. And that we then freed a number of captives from beneath the Tower of Embrelas – our travels almost overlapped, but then you retreated before we could converse. I would have informed you earlier, but you have been running about and hard to talk to lately.’

‘What? The masked demon lot was you? Why the hell didn’t you tell me sooner? Why did you even do that!?’

‘The Duke is clearly not fit to lead, so encouraging a certain amount of local resistance seemed wisest. If you hadn’t been so very distracted, then no doubt you would have done much the same. Instead, you’ve been running about at all hours, without achieving a great deal. Although this little affair was rather neatly done, and even with at least a small audience to tell tales of your deeds. An improvement over the usual, more private affairs we tend to.’

‘I was trying to find out who the hell the masked attackers were! You could have just told me! Gods, it would have saved a lot of trouble. We’ll talk about this later. So do you know what’s happening up at the castle?’

‘I imagine Jalmi is currently attempting to eliminate the source of the problem. I suspect she has the skills for such, if she can get close enough.’

‘You think she’s going to try and assassinate the Duke? Did none of this seem like something you should have told me!?’

‘I did. That you are, apparently, capable of receiving guests while being entirely insensate is scarcely my concern, is it?’ Janaxia somehow managed to look down her nose at Stathis, despite being shorter. ‘And he is the root of the issue, is he not? Simpler to eliminate it at the source, I feel.’

‘Janaxia, can we try and avoid causing a rebellion in future? So she’s off possibly killing the Duke – it might have been useful to ask him about the demons and stuff before stabbing him in the back! And about this.’ She picked up the shard of metal, the thing slipping against her and slicing her hand open, a searing agony filling her, managing to slip it into a pouch.

‘It appears little more than discoloured metal, I really don’t see why you find it so interesting. Some sorcerous geegaw or trinket, no doubt. Many wizards are overly attached to such things, feeling them necessary to perform their magic.’ She glanced at Hakara, currently waving a crystal and casting some form of spell.

‘OK, we need to talk about this.’ She grabbed Janaxia’s hand, pulling her away from the others, finding somewhere a bit quieter. Janaxia was still in her stiff-backed, indignant aristocrat posture, her clothing somehow managing to be taut and frustrated as well. From how tightly her lips were pursed, and the tension in her shoulders, she was still angry, probably about the whole shitshow at the temple still. She sat down, rather primly, on an abandoned crate, looking up at Stathis.

‘Well? What is it you wish to discuss?’ In the sunlight, it was hard to tell how brightly her lash was shining, how much of her anger was faked or real.

Stathis paused, trying to find the best way to express herself, without pissing Janaxia off further. ‘This is something I’ve been wanting to talk to you about for a while now. So, um, you’re evil.’

Her hair blazed up brightly enough to be obvious, even in the daylight. Her voice was forced and strained, as she stared at Stathis, expression like steel. ‘Quite what are you trying to say? That simply because my magic is unusual, that I am wrong and deserving of ostracism?’

‘I don’t have any problem with you, but, I know you’re evil. When I joined the Knights of the Sun, I learnt some unusual abilities, just like you have. And one of those was to sense things. Like demons, or undead and other abominations. And you feel the same. But far, far stronger. At your place in Redcastle, I couldn’t even sense your ancestor, or Galondwyn, because of you. It’s like standing in a blizzard of corruption, icy, dark and, well, evil. I sort of assumed you knew!’

‘The Knights of the Sun are, in the politest possible manner, little more than a group of drunkards and wastrels. Whatever cantrips they taught you are likely useless, or reporting incorrect information.’ Her gaze hadn’t softened at all, her clothing rustling slightly.

‘Let me show you.’ She knelt down, gently taking Janaxia’s hand in her own, and channelled a mote of healing energy, a momentary flare of light between them as she stared into Janaxia’s eyes.

‘Is there meant to be something happening? A flash of light is scarcely the most impressive display of…’ She trailed off, pupils dilating, already starting to sweat, shivering for a moment.

‘See? That’s healing light. It should heal you. Not pitch you into a fever. I don’t have a problem with you, but there’s something going on, and I’d rather you not turn into a demon-queen or melt into a puddle or something. You collapsed at the temple because it’s holy ground. That’s not a good thing.’

‘These accusations are entirely baseless. Simply because you wish to replace me with your latest conquest is no cause to bandy such allegations around?’

‘What? What the hell are you talking about? No-one’s talking about replacing you. And why would Brina be coming along? She’s probably staying here, although I’ve not asked – she has a job here though.’

‘So you don’t deny your relationship with her?’ Even if she didn’t have any abilities, Stathis would have been able to feel the cold scorn radiating from Janaxia right now.

‘Janaxia, what the hell is going on? Yes, we’re friends, and have slept together. I’m not sure why you’re so pissy about this.’

‘I have been working myself to the bone, helping Jalmi raise a revolution against an unjust Duke, and all you’ve been doing is gallivanting about with that Brina person. You do seem to be rather lacking in appreciation for all that I’ve done. And you have the unmitigated gall to call me evil, no less!’ Janaxia’s eyes were starting to turn black, her skin slicking with sweat. Hopefully her clothing wouldn’t start to disintegrate again.

Stathis still had hold of Janaxia’s hand, and channelled more energy, the effect swift and obvious, as she gave a low, pained groan, trying to snatch her hand away. ‘Look, I don’t have a problem with you personally, and I’ve no idea why you’re so pissed off. Have you heard of Blackrot? I think you’ve got the same, but for good, rather than evil, from where that unicorn stabbed you.’

Part of her clothing shredded itself back, the shoulder where the unicorn had stabbed her now angry and red, pinpricks of angry flesh where there must still be fragments of horn embedded into Janaxia’s skin, trickles of light illuminating her veins.

‘Janaxia, calm down! Your clothing is starting to melt again. You need a reverse exorcism or something.’

She let go of Janaxia’s hand, then pulled out the shard of metal. Grimacing against the pain, she held it against Janaxia’s face, ignoring the squawk of indignation. The metal began to blister and melt, disintegrating into brittle dust, drawn into Janaxia. The glow faded from her veins, as the blistering heat faded, leaving just a slight arc of dirt around her eyes.

‘Do you take some delight in leaving me in such disarray?’ Now in control of herself, her clothing was quick to mend itself, her supple curves rapidly hiding themselves behind fabric. ‘Quite what pushing dirty metal against my face is meant to achieve, I really cannot fathom. And I am still quite angry at you, for your myriad of offences against my person.’

‘You’re absorbing evil magic stuff. If we can find more demonic stuff, then you can drain that. Just hopefully without growing any more horns or anything. And if you start feeling like you want to do evil demonic things, then let me know.’

Janaxia sniffed, glaring at her. ‘I do resent these utterly baseless accusations, you know. My magic may be of unusual origins, but that is no crime, surely?’

‘You got horns when your magic book was used to beat Galondwyn to death with. I’m pretty sure that’s not normal.’

‘What? You used my tome of magic as a weapon? To bludgeon them with? I know you may be decidedly lacking in class, but there are limits! Do you have no standards at all?

‘Look, it was that or get killed. And you left the damn thing behind in the underworld, remember? When summoning it back also almost got us killed?’

‘How could I forget? When you managed to steal my voice, and leave me defenceless and mute? And yet not once have you attempted to destroy Hakara’s book of magic.’

‘Hers isn’t an evil magic-eating creepy artefact thing! Didn’t you think it was weird when you grew horns? Even I know that’s not what wizards normally do. You’re just lucky you can pull off everyone thinking they’re decorative, otherwise they’d be a mob with pitchforks coming for you.’

‘I think they look rather nice.’ She shook her head, making the chains and gems jangle. Shoving evil metal into her seemed to have calmed her down a bit, although she still looked overly stiff.

‘You always look good, that’s not the problem here. Are you not in the least concerned that your magic book-thing ate a demon, and now you’re harmed by consecrated ground? This is the sort of thing that normally ends with someone growing wings and claws, then killing everyone nearby. And I don’t think even you can pull off claws three inches long or cloven hooves for feet!’ That seemed to be penetrate, Janaxia finally looking slightly concerned.

‘I still think you are over-reacting. I cannot see myself turning into such a creature – it seems rather a lot of effort, I must say, for a rather questionable outcome. But this matter should be finished, I suppose. Although you are looking somewhat the worse for wear yourself; do you not need to rest? Or is this another “trick” you were taught?’

‘No, just stamina. I’ll be glad to goddam rest, assuming this place doesn’t burn down.’ She reached out to touch Janaxia on the shoulder, a sudden snap of bitter frost making her draw back, although Janaxia didn’t seem to notice. ‘What on earth made you think starting a rebellion was a good idea?’

‘I’m unsure why you seem to have such an issue with this – are you not meant to be devoted to the commonweal of the populace? And Jalmi is rather taken with the captain, but was having little luck in her pursuit.’

‘I’m not great at romance myself, but isn’t fancy clothing and some wine more normal than a whole damn revolution?’

The look that Janaxia gave her was even colder than her touch. ‘I really couldn’t comment. Perhaps you should confer with your friend?’

‘Can we wait until we’ve dealt with the demons before you get stroppy with Brina? She’s an old friend, and I’m not kicking you out of the Company or anything, don’t be stupid. Let’s go up to the castle and try and get you sorted, and you can try and hook up Dalin and Jalmi.’ She didn’t reach out to touch Janaxia again, leery of receiving another cold shock. Janaxia didn’t look happy, her clothing tightening, bristling at Stathis.

‘I suppose things must be seen through to the end, and I do believe Jalmi and Dalin would be well matched. Although no more of this nonsense about me being “evil” – it is excessively discourteous, and I find it quite offensive, in a deeply personal fashion, quite beyond the badinage that may be allowed between colleagues.’

Stathis sighed. ‘Fine, whatever. Just stay out of temples and avoid holy water, please? I’d rather you don’t end up in a naked fever again.’

That earnt her another glare and an indignant sniff, before Janaxia stood, a black lace shawl appearing and settling itself on her shoulders, making her look probably rather more like a young widow than she intended, as her clothing shifted into something tight and black, a few spiky protrusions to warn others off. Still, it was enough to get her moving, giving Stathis the chance to round up the others.