After another day’s travel along the road, they came across a settlement. The walls could be seen from miles away, a low hill turned into a keep, turrets at each corner, a single road leading up to the gatehouse. A banner of bright yellow fabric cracked in the breeze, some heraldic insignia twisting on it – maybe a dragon, or serpent of some kind? Around the keep was a village, itself protected by a wooden palisade wall, an outer ditch filled with wooden spikes.

Outside the wooden walls, festival tents had been erected, colours bright against the dull greys and browns of the surrounds. As they moved forward, guards came forward to meet them – their gear was simple and looked much-patched, but in decent repair. Their leader, or at least the one with the most armour, stepped forward.

‘Greetings, travellers. Welcome to Fort Verinal. I assume you are here for the tournament?’

‘We didn’t know it was on, to be honest. What’s the prize?’ Stathis asked.

‘Lord Verinal is offering a magical sword, recovered from an elven crypt, as well as a chest of a thousand gold.’

‘Sounds interesting. Might rest up first though. Guess there’s enough people here that monsters aren’t a problem at the moment?’

‘Indeed, a number of creatures have already been slain. Although there are more powerful beasts in the hills, so be careful unless you are very confident in your abilities. And elves have been sighted, up near the old stones. Be careful, unless you can ward off their enchantments.’

Semari had already wandered ahead, into the festival tents, disappearing from view, but probably seeking food. ‘Is there anywhere to stay? Be nice to have a real bed for once.’

‘The inn is just through the gates, on the left, but filled up already. There is space available at the castle, but you may have to share. A High Priestess has sequestered a number of rooms for her own needs, so space is at a premium.’

‘Even a floor would be better than camping again. We’ll go and have a look, see what’s there. Anything else we need to know? Are you OK with us carrying weapons?’

‘Should you cause any disruption, then you will be tried and sentenced by Lord Verinal, likely harshly. But yes, you may carry your weapons. Do not use magic for any illicit, illegal or disruptive purposes.’

‘OK. You heard the man, Janaxia, don’t do anything weird. Let’s go find some stables, then see what’s going on.’

The guards left them to their business, mercifully relaxed about another bunch of armed strangers showing up. Janaxia trotted up next to Stathis. ‘Quite what did you mean by that? Are you trying to imply something about my magic?’

Stathis laughed. ‘It was just a joke, don’t worry. Just don’t summon up eldritch darkness and acidic tentacles. Sorry, I didn’t mean anything by it, just that your magic tends to be fairly noticeable, and is pretty unusual.’

Janaxia looked slightly mollified. ‘Kindly do not say such things, then. I would expect such things of Semari, but I expect better of you. And I think “refined” is better than “unusual”, as a term?’ She gave a haughty sniff.

‘Sorry, Janaxia. I hope there’s rooms at the castle though, having to camp out again would be a pain.’

‘I quite concur. It will be most pleasant to sleep untroubled by weather, or bothersome insects. Or monsters.’

The festival area had areas marked out for various competitions – jousting, archery, magic, melee fighting, and so on. Some travelling merchants had set up shop, hawking armour, weapons, as well as goods more targeted at adventurers - enchanted potions, magical reagents, even a few heavily protected magical items, their protective wards probably worth as much as the items themselves. One tent was guarded by magical beings, two person-height pillars of water shifting and flowing at the entrance, behind them dozens of neatly arranged scroll-cases and a few spell-books, the air heavy with magical power. Hakara looked at it with obvious interest, craning her neck to try and see. Another, larger, tent was set aside for gaming, cards and dice at play as money changed hands. Most of those in attendance looked to be sellswords, mercenaries or adventurers, to judge by their motley equipment, the locals staying clear. None she recognised, at least from a quick glance.

There was a heavy metallic sound from behind her, and she turned, to find a group of adventurers stood there. Their leader was wearing brilliantly clean plate armour, a golden sun etched onto his breastplate, bright and shining in the sunlight. He looked at Stathis, staring at her with hostility, taking in the faded sun-mark on her own armour, then looking at Hakara, Janaxia and Brand.

‘Stathis, of the Knights of the Sun. It has been a long time. Given your reputation, seeing you here with a hedge-mage, a vagabond swordsman and a…’ he gestured at Janaxia ‘…companion, is fitting. What disaster will you perpetuate this time? There are no holy relics to destroy, although you could overthrow this lord as well. Or are you planning to acquire some artefacts from the vault of the keep?’

Something about his face and the tone of his voice jogged a memory. Stathis swore. ‘Larrik of Estherthorne, right? We worked together before, didn’t we? Look, I already apologised for that whole mess, just get over it! And you were just as much to blame, and I covered for you. So stop complaining.’

That didn’t seem to calm him. ‘You are a disgrace to our order! Do your oaths mean nothing, to behave in such a way, and to travel with such companions?’

Janaxia stepped up, interlacing her arm around Stathis’. ‘Oh? Do you have something you wish to say? As a knight, should you not be more solicitous of a lady of blood, such as myself?’

Larrik looked her up and down – in deference to the cutting winds, Janaxia was wearing a fur-trimmed cloak, now falling partly open to show a new outfit beneath, asymmetrical fabric cut low and tight, black gloves protecting her hands, horns decorated with golden chains. ‘You claim high blood and nobility, yet parade yourself with horns? Shameless, crass, and all-too fitting for an associate of a fallen knight.’

Janaxia tensed. ‘I am Janaxia Seyroon Falmeth Uth Tremari, of the blood and lore of Kinnevar Ultremar. There are few lines more ancient amongst humanity, I demand appropriate respect.’ She glared back at him, red tinge showing in her hair.

Stathis nodded. ‘She’s right, that is her name and family. Not that I think it should change how you should treat someone, but if you’ve got a thing about nobility, then you should treat her appropriately.’

‘One of the Uth Tremari brood? Dark sorcerers and wizards, mired in corruption and evil, tainted with evil. Just the sort of person I would expect you to be associating with, Knight Stathis. And from her clothing, I doubt even her claims of nobility.’ He sneered. ‘I trust you have at least valour enough that we will meet on the field of the competition, so I can teach you the ways of a true knight.’ He spun and walked off, cloak billowing, his flunkies following with him.

Stathis sighed, trying to surreptitiously shake Janaxia off, without success, as she seethed, holding tight onto Stathis, hair still glowing.

‘Well, he was rather rude. Your last acquaintance may have been a little irksome, but at least she was at least somewhat fetching, and wasn’t quite so wretchedly rude! I sincerely hope you will be repaying the slight upon my good name? Perhaps a duel would be appropriate, to show him his true place? I’m sure he would be better company if he were grovelling on the ground in defeat.’

‘Well, your family are evil wizards, so he’s not entirely wrong. But he is a jerk. I don’t know what he’s doing out here though. Anyway, let’s head up to the castle and see if we can get some rooms.’

Walking with a hanger-on was awkward, but without violently shaking Janaxia off, there didn’t seem any way to detach her, and she did provide a useful shield against the wind, even as she seethed with anger. They passed the town’s only inn, the Hippogriff and Dragon, currently doing a roaring trade, to judge by the sounds from inside. More guards awaited them at the castle gate, waving them through. The courtyard was strangely quiet, although a lot of wagons were filling the space, those of traders and merchants enticed by the festival and tournament.

A tired-looking servant stared at them blankly for a moment, before responding to their request, shaking themselves awake, managing to go through the motions of noting their names down and directing them to the eastern tower, taking an extortionate amount of money, enough for a week or more at a normal inn. After several wrong turns and apologies to bemused servants, they managed to find their chamber. From the looks of things, it had been hastily converted from a storeroom, and was still a bit dusty. But it was a decent size, and even had a window, although it was more of an arrow slit. There was also a bed, an old four-poster thing, the pillars dented and warped, with a solid canopy above. And definitely not large enough for all of them.

Stathis leant against the wall, as Janaxia tutted and started ushering dust and grit outside. Hakara looked around curiously. ‘Was that knight from earlier an old acquaintance of yours, Stathis? He seemed quite rude.’

‘We worked together for a while. It didn’t end well, although I really thought he’d be over it be now. It was years ago! He’s very devout as a follower of what he sees as the true way of how a knight should behave though, so I doubt he’ll do anything untoward, other than be a dick and tell everyone I’m a terrible person. Worst thing is that he’s a better fighter than I am, so that’s going to be bloody awkward in the tournament.’

Janaxia shooed a ball of dust through the arrowslit. ‘He was most insufferably rude! A knight should be rather more dashing and courteous, especially to nobility and high blood, such as myself. Although you could do with some work on that front yourself, Stathis. Should you not be more chivalrous when dealing with me?’

She’d ditched the cloak to reveal her clothing – one arm sheathed in a black elbow-length glove, the other just covered to the wrist, her shoulders and one arm bare, with a tight black tunic beneath, an off-centre hole cut to reveal the fringe of her tattoo and leaving her midriff bare. And trousers for once, albeit incredibly tight ones of black leather. The general look was that of a noble dressing up as an adventurer for a party, making it more practical than her usual outfits.

‘Janaxia, we work together, being all formal and knightly would be strange. And you’re quite capable of looking after yourself, so I don’t need to do all that “pledging my sword in your service and protection” stuff.’

Janaxia tutted. ‘It would be nice if you at least made an effort though. Small wonder if some of your brethren sometimes take issue with you for being rather significantly less than the knightly ideal. Although I trust that you will defeat the lout? It would be unseemly and a slight upon your admittedly tarnished name if you were to be defeated.’

‘I’ll figure something out. That money would be useful! Although with this many adventurers around, work might be scarce. You be up for the wizard’s contest, Hakara? Never seen you go all-out before, it’d be interesting to see what you can do’.

‘I don’t know how well I would compete. I have little battle experience, after all.’

‘You’ve held together pretty well so far. Although that ice storm of yours might be a bit indiscriminate! Something that targets people rather than areas might be better. It’s a decent prize. Give you a good pot to get started for more studies.’

‘Maybe. Although would not Miss Janaxia be better suited to such things?’

Janaxia was bringing up more and more dust, the stuff whirling together into a dark tornado, Stathis’ instincts screaming at her to protect herself against the evil. She repressed the feeling. ‘I don’t know if Janaxia’s skills are well suited to it. Pillars of darkness and flaming crowns might draw attention.’

Janaxia looked up from her cleaning, indignant. ‘I do wish you would be more appreciative of my unique magic, and less, frankly, rude, about it. My skills are unique, and should be valued as such.’

‘Yeah, but it would be nice if you could just cast normal magic though. You’re skilled, but it’s going to draw a lot of attention if you start raising up pillars of darkness when everyone else is shooting fire or lightning or whatever. Normal magic, not whatever it is you do.’

‘I can scarcely be blamed if the common run of people cannot perceive the true worth of my powers, or making entirely unwarranted assumptions about myself based off them. And I do find it exceptionally rude of you to make such assertions, when you really should know better. I have been quite invaluable to our success, have I not?’

‘Sorry, Janaxia. If you really want to take part, feel free, but it might draw negative attention.’ She tried to think of a more flattering way to put it. ‘I don’t think many people are able to appreciate your unique skills, and you might be more powerful than anyone else taking part. Unfortunate, but I think this would be a task better suited for Hakara. And you can assess how well she does.’

Janaxia didn’t appear completely mollified, lips still pursed tightly. ‘I suppose it might be a touch unfair. And I would rather not expose myself to the careless allegations of those unable to appreciate the true artistry of my magic. Although if the pair of you are to compete, I do sincerely hope you will change your attire. Both of you are most slovenly dressed. For the sake of future business, at least make some effort.’ She looked at Stathis, shaking her head in disappointment.

Stathis backed away towards the door, hoping to avoid getting dragged into a non-consensual re-styling session. ‘I’m going to go back to the fair, see if I can find any jobs or rumours. And check that Semari’s not causing any trouble.’ The whirlwind of doom pushed the door shut in her face, before she could leave.

‘If you are going to engage in a duel with your nemesis, then you are not going out like that! At the very least, you should take some pride in your appearance, and polish your armour. And you, Hakara. I just don’t know where to start. Possibly some better fitting robes, for starters, something a touch more flattering? While I appreciate that you need pockets and pouches for your casting equipment, and so must make some concessions to practicality, a one-size-fits-nobody sack is doing you no favours. I do hope you have something more flattering for the dances at least?’

While Janaxia focused on Hakara, Stathis took her chance to escape, pulling on the door handle, easily overpowering the hovering aura of force, closing it behind her. The door blocked out any response, as Stathis muttered an apology to Hakara, making a note to make it up to her later. Although it was true that Hakara could probably do with some nicer clothing, other than her rather battered and worn robes. Stathis shook her head – she must have been spending far too much time with Janaxia! Admittedly, her own armour probably could do with some maintenance and cleaning, but it would only get smashed and battered again, so it didn’t seem worth putting too much effort in.

She headed back outside, walking swiftly in case Janaxia gave chase. Hopefully she would be satisfied enough with Hakara, at least for now. But sharing a room? That was going to get awkward. Although she could probably claim that the bed was too short for her, and sleep on the floor. Semari would have to squeeze in as well, although she’d previously been able to, apparently comfortably, sleep on ledges just a few inches wide, so would be fine. As long as she hadn’t managed to get herself arrested for vagrancy, anyway. In a place so small, it seemed unlikely there was any criminal underworld for her to get into trouble with, and surely there was nothing here that Kethys would trouble herself with?