Stathis was awoken by a soft knocking on the door. She rolled over, body stiff. It was early dawn, light just starting to creep through the arrow slit. An arm dangled from above the bed, twitching occasionally as Semari dreamed. Hakara’s glyph was glowing softly, the entrance to her sanctum closed. Stathis rose and cracked her neck and shoulders, then walked over to the door and cautiously opened it.

A figure was standing in the hallway outside, swathed head to toe in soft, ash-grey fabric, their face hidden behind a veil. Even their hands were hidden behind dull grey lace, fingers barely visible through the material. When they spoke, their voice was soft and quiet, Stathis straining to hear.

‘You have been summoned. Kindly attend.’ They turned and walked away, long robes lightly brushing the ground behind them, fading into the shadowed halls. Stathis grabbed her sword and followed along. She was led along several hallways into a fancier part of the castle, suited for visiting lords and ladies, rather than storage. Her attempts to engage the stranger in conversation were unsuccessful, as they kept walking, clothing rustling, a faint scent of ash and smoke in the air.

As they opened a door, a rush of heat came out, enough to make Stathis flinch away and start sweating. She stepped inside cautiously, the heat even stronger, several braziers burning, the windows blocked by shutters. Even the fireplace was full, a blazing source of heat; surely unneeded at this time of year, especially inside! Another shrouded figure awaited her, stood in front of the fireplace, making a dramatic silhouette. Stathis approached, still wary, as they turned, presenting a veiled face, blonde hair spilling out from behind the cloth, their face impossible to see. They whispered something, lost beneath the crack of the firewood.

Stathis moved closer, despite the uncomfortable heat. ‘You’ll have to speak up, I can’t hear you.’ They spoke again, possibly, slight suggestion of words beneath the crackling fires. ‘The fire’s too loud, at least take the veil off if you want me to hear you!’

Despite the intervening fabric, Stathis got the strong impression she was being given a long-suffering stare, the set of their shoulders expressing resignation and irritation in equal measures. They moved closer, hair ruffling in the heat, moving uncomfortably close, almost touching Stathis. A voice whispered through the veils, now actually audible, if barely.

‘What are you doing here?’

This close, Stathis could just about see through the veils, the shadows forming a familiar face – Carissia. ‘I’d ask you the same! And why are you whispering?’

Stathis had to concentrate to hear the response, even this close. ‘I am currently worshipping Kosiroth in their aspect as the Whispering Flame. Which has some very irritating restrictions, I have to say! I thought you were in Cormontara?’

‘We had to leave in a hurry, so were only there for a few days in the end. Could you at least take the veil off? It’s really hard to hear you.’ The heat was making her sweat, and her head pound. ‘Why are you here? Shouldn’t you be doing something big and important, a very long way away from here?’

That earnt her what was probably another glare. ‘This is important. The Witch of the Storm’s Eye wakes from her slumber, and ancient beasts walk the land once more. And the Whispering Flame wishes a task done which coincides with my own goals. But you haven’t answered my question as to why you’re in the borderlands. There’s nothing out here!’

‘It seemed a good idea to get away from the cities for a while. Please, can you just cast a mindspeech spell or something so I can hear you properly? And can you open a window, it’s roasting in here.’

Carissia murmured a spell, the sound like the cracking of firewood, before her voice sounded within Stathis’ mind, backed by a popping, roaring hiss.

This does seem a waste of my power, compared to you just actually listening. And considering the amount you owe after that fiasco at Redcastle, I would have thought that you would be desirous of higher-paying work. On that matter, I trust you can pay down at least some of the debt? As a token gesture of good intentions?

‘Really? You’re stinging me for money now?’

Your debt is quite considerable, and is growing daily. The longer you ignore it, the worse it will be. If you give the money to me, then I can pass it along to the appropriate authorities.

‘Fine, I’ll throw some money at you later. So you’ve dragged yourself out here for some witch, and some monsters out in the hills? Don’t you have more important things to do?’

This is important. Albeit, yes, irritatingly remote, and I must remain until the task is done, rather than transporting myself somewhere more civilised. I will be glad when this is dealt with and I can leave, swiftly. But there is much that needs to be done, and much danger lurks in the shadows.

‘Out here? There’s barely anything to cast shadows! Although that reminds me. You know anything about this?’ She pulled out the beer bottle, still containing the spike of metal. ‘It got pulled out of the old Duke of Cormontara. He needed a lot of stabbing, and then his body melted away. There were other people that had been twisted or corrupted or something as well.’ She described the monsters. ‘Sound like anything you know about?’

The veil made it impossible to read Carissia’s expression, but her body tensed, clothing and hair shifting slightly as a sudden hot breeze filled the room.

You’ve encountered one of the Cursed? Why didn’t you tell me!?

‘Tell you what? Dealing with fucked-up monsters and wizards is part of my job, and this is the first time I’ve seen you since then. I wasn’t expecting stuff like that in Cormontara though. And I’m telling you now. It sounds like you know something about this – what’s going on?’

The heat intensified, Stathis tugging at her collar to try and gain some relief as sweat started to stick her clothing to her body, Carissia’s hair and veil moving slightly in the heat. I have seen similar, in an ancient tomb. Twisted, corrupted shards of metal, from the time of the Black Triad, artefacts of the Bell, Blade or Book. I thought them all destroyed, but was clearly mistaken.

‘So what actually are they? I’ve heard of cursed swords that drive people into berserk rages; is this similar?’

You really should have paid more attention to our tutors. Ancient weapons of the Black Triad, they corrupt people, twisting them towards evil, breaking them, in body and soul, until they are naught but twisted monsters.

Stathis tried not to think about how Janaxia had absorbed the things, drawing their power into herself, and healing herself by doing so. ‘So, what does that actually mean? That people become monsters if you stick these into them?’

That is the least of it – yes, a wizard with the correct knowledge and an utter lack of morals can indeed create an abomination that will fight for them, and with little humanity remaining. But they can also be used to suborn an individual’s will, to turn them to evil and wickedness, inculcating a fierce bloodlust in them, as well as increasing their physical prowess. And likely other powers as well, for anyone sufficiently dedicated to research such wicked things.

Janaxia certainly hadn’t shown any signs of increased strength or toughness, or a lust for blood, so was probably not corrupted, or at least not any more than she had been before. ‘So, people become jacked-up angry monsters? That sounds bad, but not catastrophic. Or is there something worse?’

There are other factors, yes. Although these involve the divinities, and so are hard to translate into anything useful. I’m sure you, of all people, are aware of the vagueness of prophecy.

‘There’s monsters eating people, and the Baron of a major city was working with them. Whatever you know, just tell me, it’ll be easier. Does it involve someone you used to work with, that got infected or whatever with these things?’ The heat jumped up another notch, Stathis wishing she could take her top off, or just pour water over her head to cool off. ‘Someone tried to kill me in a strange underworld city, which they said was because of you. She was twisted and mutated, like a mutated doppelganger or something. Care to explain?’

Carissia sighed. Events were… unfortunate. Would that I acted differently, but what’s done is done. Yes, there were rumours of ancient magic, from the time of the Black Triad, being sold through various illicit channels. I was involved in trying to find and apprehend the perpetrators, and she was caught up in it. I had thought, had hoped she had died, but it seems not.

‘You hoped she died? What the hell?’

Carissia held up a hand. Not in that fashion. We were companions, not enemies. But the last I saw of her, her injuries were extensive, and not merely to her body. Enough to shatter anyone’s spirit. Trust me, death would have been a merciful deliverance from her suffering. Tell me more of what you saw, and what she said. If she lives, then she is likely… altered from what she was.

The mind-speech was flat and unemotive. Combined with the veil Carissia wore, it was impossible to tell her emotions. Stathis described the scene from the underworld city, although left out Semari absorbing the lightning.

It sounds as though she has been entirely corrupted, tainted by that ancient curse

‘She’s become a shapeshifter, or something similar. How did she get that from metal?’

The principles are highly arcane and complex. But it warps one’s body, mind and spirit. Most become savage beasts, but it seems she was able to maintain a sense of self. She always did have a strong sense of self and reserves of willpower. But that someone is finding, or producing so many shards is worrisome – I trust you resolved the issue in Cormantara appropriately?

‘We had to burn a wizard to death, and sort of overthrew the Duke, but yes, it’s dealt with. The new Duke is going to hunt down anyone else involved. So you had no idea that she survived?’

None. If you wish, use the power of your heritage to confirm that, but it is true. Although this does leave us with a rather acute issue to deal with.

‘What, that there’s a shape-changing murder-monster that wants to kill you, and me, because of you? And is producing evil metal that can turn people into monsters? Yeah, I’d say that’s pretty definitely a problem. That’s why I came all the way out here, to avoid it! It was pure luck that there happened to someone in Cormontara already placed to deal with everything, I couldn’t have done it by myself. Although Mother had an agent there who didn’t know anything about it, so someone is keeping secrets.’

That is not my doing. I seem to recall that there is a place waiting for you where all such information would be at your disposal, to do with as you will? Nevertheless, you should be

She went suddenly silent as the spell expired, sighing in irritation, having to speak in a whisper again. ‘It is unlikely that any such creatures will be here, this place is very remote. Although there is a knight that appears to have taken against you rather overtly – perhaps he will provide you some entertainment? That he appears to think you just a knight is testament to either your skill in deceit, or his stupidity, I’m not sure which. Nevertheless, you should deal with him. Unless you wish your big sister to look after you? But if you encounter any other items such as this, please keep them rather better secured.’

She gestured at the beer bottle, clicking her fingers. Flames erupted inside it, Stathis dropping it as the heat singed her fingers. The bottle hit the ground, already half-melted, the metal warping as it succumbed to the heat, holy power within the flame disintegrating it away to nothing in a white flash.

‘So perishes evil.’ If it had been louder than a whisper, it might have had more impact. ‘Although I sense a being of great evil nearby – it may be some ancient monster slumbering and bound, but I would advise caution.’

‘I’ll deal with Larrik. Actually, have you seen Janaxia? She didn’t come back last night.’

Carissia’s stance changed, from rigid and formal to interested. ‘Is she here? This trip may afford some pleasure, at least. I trust she is still as delightfully sensitive as ever?’

Stathis chose her words carefully. ‘She’s been a bit distracted recently. There’s something going on with her family – you heard anything about that?’ From the way that Carissia looked away, she obviously knew something, and didn’t want to share. Stathis sighed. ‘Just tell me. I know there’s rumours that they’re up to something. Could it be related?’

‘Even they wouldn’t be foolish enough to meddle in such things, or so I would hope. It seems they are searching for something ancient though – they’ve been spending extensive amounts of gold and favours both, on plundering ancient tombs. If you send Janaxia to me, I’ll be sure to question her most… thoroughly.’

The heat changed, fierce crackle becoming softer and gentler.

‘I don’t think she knows anything. How long do you think you’ll be here for? And will you be able to talk properly at some point?’

‘Not long, I should hope. Events are in motion, and matter will soon come to a head. But do try and deal with this knight that dislikes you so, it’s rather shameful to have so pitiful a nemesis, is it not?

‘He’s not my nemesis, he’s just a dick I used to work with! I’m sure I’ll manage somehow, so please don’t blow him, or anyone else, up. Oh, do you know anything about the elves? I keep hearing that they’re doing something – any idea what, and if we need to be worried?’

‘Some hero of theirs has returned, I believe, gathering a number of their youth. To what aim, I know not. The stone circles are ancient magic, even by elven standards – I would recommend leaving them alone.’

‘OK, thanks. I’ll go try and find Janaxia. And I’ll keep an eye out for any horrors of ancient darkness.’

‘You shouldn’t be so flippant, Stathis. This is important, and there is something of the ancient evil present. If I can sense it, you must surely be able to as well?’

‘I’m sorry, I can’t hear you. Could you speak up?’ Even through the veil, Stathis recoiled from the glare Carissia shot her, as she retreated out of the room. ‘Let me know if you find anything.’ Hopefully, she wouldn’t be able to target anyone specifically with her abilities, or to specifically detect Janaxia, otherwise things could get complicated, fast. Maybe just throwing Janaxia at her would keep them both too busy to cause any other problems? Or it might cause a lot more problems, depending on how things went. But where the hell had Janaxia gone? Had she found someone else to spend the night with?