The tavern food was hot and plentiful, even if ridiculously overpriced, Stathis handing over a gold coin and getting scant coppers back in change. Still, given her recent win, then she could afford it, even with the amount of food Semari was packing away. They managed to find a quiet corner, taking time to eat – the servings were ample, if plain.

‘That was good fighting, Semari. Although you might want to go easy in future, unless you want everyone to refuse to fight you. Knocking out a half-giant in one round is pretty impressive! Did you even take any hits?’

Between bolting her food, Semari found enough breath to respond. ‘Nah, just a punch to the head, nothing that won’t heal soon enough. Heard that there’s some trouble out in the hills though, some old witch or something causing trouble. And some fancy priest holed up in the castle.’

‘Any work likely? The witch is probably just some sorcerer or druid or something that wants to be left alone. With this lot around, there’s not going to be many monsters that need dealing with.’

‘Yeah, some of the others dragged out, like, a giant acid-spitting ant monster, and some other stuff. There’s meant to be wyverns and stuff out there, if you want a fight. Oh, and elves doing, like, magic elf things. So might be Parth, or it might be something to awaken an ancient creature, or keep it sleeping, I don’t know. Or just elves doing elf stuff, you know what they’re like. You find anything out?’

‘We’ve got space up at the castle. Well, a room. No sign of this priest, but they’re probably doing a ritual or something, they must have some reason to be here, it’s miles from anywhere. As long as this isn’t going to be a battle between them, the elves and this witch! Anyway, you up for the tournament? If there is a bare-knuckle boxing part, at least. It’s normally jousting, archery, magic and melee. You normally have to use a weapon for the melee, so you’re not taking part there. There might be footraces or something for you though.’

Semari grimaced. ‘No fun, too easy. At least fighting is more interesting. That big dude was, like, an actual challenge. Well, a little bit. Not slippery, like that bastard in Cormantara, just a straight up fistfight. He had weird tricks.’ She punched the air a few times. ‘Kinda fun. Like being a kid again, always a good way to get some coin. Act all cute and innocent, and then BAM BAM, right in the nads. Even better if you can get someone to take bets. Easy money! Bit harder to do now though, people don’t assume I’m, like, totally weak anymore. And I have to aim further down for the nad shot.’

‘Don’t knock it, it made enough to pay for this and a fair bit more. Probably won’t be able to win that much again, as you made it look too easy though. Should’ve hammed it up a bit more, made it look harder.’ Stathis took a drink – decent enough brew, for a backwoods place. ‘Also, as a warning, Janaxia’s on a rampage, so you might end up with new clothing. I need to apologise to Hakara, but I really don’t want Janaxia working over my entire wardrobe.’

Semari looked at her, eyes suddenly annoyingly perceptive. ‘So, what’s going on with you two? She went all, like, sexy and evil and stuff, she might just need, y’know. A good seeing to. Bang the evil out of her, that’s a thing, right?’ She scissored her fingers together, rubbing them together, giving Stathis a knowing look and a smirk.

Stathis groaned. ‘Don’t bloody start. I’ve no idea what’s up with her, beyond the usual. You heard of Blackrot? I think she got infected with good or something, from when that unicorn attacked her. She was getting hurt by holy ground, that’s what made her clothing melt, it destroyed her magic.’

‘Makes sense, I guess. Evil gribbly stuff makes things rot, she got stabbed with good and that gave her a fever or whatever. But she didn’t react when I, like, poured holy water on her before. Does that mean she’s getting worse? Or more demon-y or whatever? I’m probably safe, but she might try and eat you, one way or another.’ Semari made chomping and biting motions, while clawing the air with her hands. ‘Although she’d probably complain if her nails ever turned to, like, proper claws. Could always try bathing her in holy water, see what that does?’

‘I think she’s normal now. Well, as normal as she gets; it was the injury from the unicorn messing her up, which is why she was absorbing evil stuff. Maybe to counterbalance it or something, like she was trying to reject the goodness shoved into her?’

‘Cool. Well, you could always push some more goodness into her, know what I mean?’ With two fingers, she made a twisting, thrusting motion, back and forth. ‘So, you going to eat all of that?’ Semari speared some of Stathis’ food with her other hand without waiting for a response, then spoke through a mouthful of food. ‘Could drag her out to one of the stone circles, tie her up and sacrifice her. Probably be into that. Well, the first part at least.’

‘We’re not killing her! Especially not at a stone circle, those things are usually doing something magical, and sacrificial blood likely won’t do anything good. Just keep an eye on her, I guess. I’ve asked Brina to try and do some research, see if she can find out anything about Janaxia’s book.’

‘Want me to steal it again? Not like she looks after it at all. Could try, like, pumping it full of healing magic. She might get a halo or something. Or feathers. Bet that’d piss her off.’

Stathis smacked the back of Semari’s hand, protecting her food from another raid. ‘That’s an idea, but I’d rather not risk anything else weird happening. She’s already got horns, I dread to think what would happen if she ended up glowing or with wings or something as well. Ivory isn’t her colour, we’d never hear the end of it. And keep your hands off my food!’ She lifted her plate up as Semari launched another attack.

‘Hey, I won, like, a whole bag of money for you, don’t be stingy! They’re jacking the prices though, just ‘cos there’s a load of adventurers here. So, I’ve been thinking, and I think Janaxia might be, like, made by her family or something? They took the ugly daughter, pumped her full of demon-stuff, made her pretty and soon she’s going to go all evil and stuff?’ Semari made more clawing, rending motions, interspersed with explosion noises, imitating Janaxia’s bolts, although she was still poised to steal Stathis’ food.

‘I don’t think so. Or they really screwed up making her loyal – she didn’t get on well with her sister back at Redcastle. Kinnevar doesn’t seem to think there’s anything strange about her, and he seems strangely nice. Although he might regard stuff like that as normal, I guess? The Uth Tremari are old, probably had all kinds of weird stuff going on over the years.’

‘Hey, I warned you about her back then, said that she was a demon or something. But you got all distracted ‘cos she’s sexy and stuff, and didn’t want to kill her. You’re stuck with her now. If she gets all soul-eating and becomes, like, an evil sorcerer queen, I’m leaving. At least unless she pays well, I guess. But no uniforms.’

‘I didn’t get distracted because she’s sexy! I didn’t want to murder a friend because she’s a little unusual.’

‘Hey, whatever lets you sleep at night. But if she goes evil and eats everyone’s souls, om nom nom nom, that’s all on you, all because you didn’t want to kill her.’ Given she was smiling, Semari was probably joking. ‘So, just hope she’s not, like, going to go totally evil and stuff? Didn’t you leave her alone with Hakara?’

‘She’s not going to do anything to Hakara! Well, OK, she’s probably going to dress her up, but I don’t think she’s going to do anything worse.’

‘Not worried she’s going to try and seduce her?’ Semari gave her another look.

Stathis shook her head. ‘I don’t think Hakara’s into that. And she’s not really fancy, exotic or high-ranked enough for Janaxia, is she?’

‘That’s true. Means that I don’t have to worry about her, ‘cos I’m scruffy.’ She looked entirely too proud saying that. ‘You’re going to have to something about her yourself at some point. Just, like get some glowy energy into her, good and deep.’ She mimicked with two fingers again, twisting and writhing, staring at Stathis.

‘Semari, don’t be crude. And I don’t think that would work. And it would make things a lot more complicated afterwards!’

‘Hey, you do you. Anyway, you getting me more food or not? Could do with another drink as well, since you’re headed to the bar.’

Stathis acquiesced, heading to the bar and ordering more food. It took a while to get served, and by the time she was done, Semari had moved to another table, now starting to arm-wrestle, money piling up as betting started. Having seen her strength outside, the odds against her were low, and it felt unfair to win money using Semari twice in quick succession. It was fun to watch though, and when it came to brute strength outside of fighting, it was more of a contest. Brevik had even managed to squeeze into the tavern, and was eager for a rematch.

Hand in hand, the contest looked ridiculous, Semari’s hand less than half the size of his. They squared off, arms straining against each other, with several false starts as Semari was pushed back by his sheer weight before able to get into position. Then they managed to actually compete, Semari’s arm straining as she tried to keep her arm up, before his strength overpowered her, back of her fist slamming against the table. Semari grunted in pain, flexing her arm and wincing.

‘Damn! Being that big must make this easy for you. Wanna go a round outside? That’s more fun.’

His voice was a loud rumble, like rocks bouncing down a cliff. ‘Lost once already, I think I might take a break before a rematch. But you’re strong, for a shortie.’

Semari was still twisting her arm. ‘Yeah, well, picked up a few tricks, haven’t I. We can’t all be golden princesses or queens or half-demons or whatever. Although being that big and strong must be handy! Bet you never get lost in a crowd. You’re almost a crowd by yourself!’

He laughed, the sound making the drinks vibrate. ‘Can’t help it if all you humans are tiny! How you small people ever get around without getting eaten, I’ll never know.’

‘Hey, we do what we can! I’ve fought, like, a unicorn, and a skeleton dragon, and a singing ghost thing! What’s your best?’

As they fell into comparing battles, Stathis went to get another drink for herself. One corner of the bar was quieter, an aura of magic dampening the noise, various wizards and sorcerers comparing notes, drinks and food being transported through the air via unseen forces. Amongst them was Hakara, copying from a scroll into her spellbook, pen scratching over the pages, occasionally talking to herself as she tried to work something out, or tracing sigils of power into the air. Her hair, usually left loose, had been tied into ornate braids, clearly Janaxia’s handiwork.

One of the staff approached, collecting the empty glasses, stacking them high on a tray. She stepped forward, stumbling, the stacks of glasses falling towards Hakara, liquids spilling through the air. One of her hands formed itself into a strange shape, the glasses stopping in mid-fall, outlined in blue light. Their fall halted for a moment, before reversing, as they started to stack themselves neatly on the table, Hakara moving her book out of the way as the glasses took over more and more of the tabletop.

When they were all in place, she relaxed, smiling at the waitress, and gesturing for her to take the glasses, while protectively keeping a hand on her spellbook until they were gone. Stathis approached, self-consciously being careful not to spill any.

‘Impressive spell you used.’

‘Thank you. I created it to help when I had to work at the pub.’

‘Oh, your parent’s place? Figures.’ Stathis looked at the scroll in front of Hakara, covered with dense writing and diagrams, utterly incomprehensible to Stathis, but at least readable, rather than being mind-warping, like the text in Janaxia’s book. ‘You visit that magician at the fair? Anything good?’

Hakara’s eyes were bright and enthusiastic. ‘Yes, he was interesting to talk to. It has been some time since I have been able to discuss magical theory with anyone. Miss Janaxia is powerful and skilled, but…’

‘Knows sod-all about magical theory, because whatever the hell she it, she’s not actually a wizard?’ Hakara nodded. ‘That makes sense. Get anything good?’

‘Something that may alleviate the sleeping situation, and a few other cantrips. It may be useful to widen my range, I feel.’

‘Good on you. You want to join us?’ There was a cheer, followed by the shattering of wood, as another arm wrestle ended in a table getting broken.

‘My apologies, Stathis, but I’d rather finish learning this spell first.’

‘Sure, no problem. Want a drink?’

‘No thank you, but if you could pass this to the barstaff? As an apology for the inconvenience.’ She handed over a few gold coins. ‘And to fix anything broken.’

‘Of course. Yeah, this lot are a little rowdy; that’s a good idea. When everyone’s calmer, might be a good idea to have a whip-around. Have fun, I’ll see you later then.’

Hakara nodded, returning to her studies, as Stathis went back to the bar, ordering more drinks and handing over the coins, along with an apology for the behaviour of the other adventurers.

They left the tavern sometime later that night, stepping into the darkness, all three moons bright in the sky above them. The wind was even colder now, cutting straight through Stathis’ clothing, enough to make her shiver. The gate was locked as Stathis apologised to the guard, who eventually let them in, after a generous tip. They managed to make their way back to the room without getting lost, Stathis the first inside.

‘I’ll sleep on the floor, if one of you wants to share the bed with Janaxia.’

Hakara spoke. ‘I have a solution to that, for myself at least. If I can get this to work.’ She began tracing her hands through the air, the air warping and shimmering. A thin slit of light appeared in mid-air, before Hakara pulled herself through it, vanishing from sight. A pale blue rune shone on the floor beneath where she had disappeared, as Semari approached, poking her hand towards where Hakara had vanished, her own arm disappearing. There was a squeak from Hakara, before Semari shoved her head through the gap, her headless body somewhat unnerving, seemingly severed in mid-air.

‘Oooo, nice! Bit cramped though. Hey, Stathis, come look.’

Stathis approached and carefully waved her hand through the air, feeling a slight pressure, like an invisible gel floating in mid-air, next to where Semari’s headless torso was knelt on the ground. She gently pushed forward, feeling the temperature change around her hand, before also pushing her head through.

She looked into a small, blue-lit chamber, a faint glow diffused through the air. Hakara was sat on a soft-looking raised platform, covered with a blanket, a thin strip of empty space between her and the entrance. When Stathis looked behind herself, she could see a translucent shimmering wall, through which she could see the rest of the room. Semari poked a wall, then pushed harder, punching it. Ripples ran along it, the magical substance flexing slightly under the impact.

Hakara squeaked. ‘Please don’t do that, Semari. I don’t know how much force this can withstand.’

Semari was at least sensible enough to follow this advice and not punch the wall again. Stathis experimentally touched it herself – smooth and featureless, emitting enough warmth to make the chamber comfortable, yielding slightly under the pressure. ‘So, uh, what happens if it breaks?’

‘It would create a hole to the ethereal realm, dropping all of us there, into the infinite half-space between everything, probably forever, or until eaten by one of the monsters that dwells there. I would, uh, advise against such actions. Although the walls can probably withstand quite a large amount of damage, but it seems unwise to test it, especially to destruction.’

Semari looked disappointed, cocking a fist before Stathis pulled her away. ‘Handy spell. This as large as it gets? Would be useful for travelling if it was large enough for all of us.’ With Hakara sat inside, and Semari and herself both looking in, it was uncomfortably cramped – two people could probably fit in, if they were very friendly, and didn’t move much.

‘Unfortunately not, at least without further studies. But it is comfortable, and should help the sleeping situation. I mean no offense, Miss Stathis, but that bed is not very large.’

‘No, it makes things easier.’ Semari drew back out of the chamber, then jumped, hopping onto the solid canopy above the bed and disappearing into the shadows. All that was visible of her were eyes, gleaming in the darkness. ‘I’ll sleep up here, plenty of room!’

‘Fine then, I’ll take the floor. Guess Janaxia can have the bed to herself.’

Hakara poked her head out from her extra-dimensional space. ‘Isn’t it large enough for the both of you?’

A snickering sound came from above, as Semari’s eyes stared from the darkness. Stathis sighed. ‘It’ll stop her complaining. And the bed isn’t all that big.’ Hakara looked slightly confused, but didn’t say anything, withdrawing into her personal chamber. The blue glow faded slightly, the entranceway darkening as she sealed the door from the inside. Hopefully Semari wouldn’t try and tear it open in the night and get them all sucked into some other dimension. Although it raised the question of where was Janaxia – had she managed to find somewhere else to sleep, or would she be staggering back at some later hour? If that happened, then being in the bed would probably be awkward.

Stathis did what she could to make the floor more comfortable, laying a blanket atop the rug to make it a little less unyielding. At least it was better than the ground, if not by much. She curled up, as much as she could, managing to fall asleep rapidly.