She hadn’t gotten far before realising she was lost, again. Even by castle standards, the place was a maze, all sorts of chambers running into each other without rhyme or reason, different generations of construction all together. She stepped into a tiny bedroom, the space entirely consumed by a bed and an oversized wardrobe, without any exterior windows. The girl from yesterday was sat in the corner, hunched up with her legs against her chest, as she looked up at Stathis with a startled expression.

‘Hello there. Sorry about this, I’ve gotten lost again. Would you mind showing me the way out?’

The girl looked at her with a long-suffering expression, before slowly standing up. Stathis recognised the expression on her face, having worn it far too many times herself – the expectations of rank, of having to do things, and the sheer unfairness of it all. It was hard not to grin, remembering how often she had run away to the practice yards or found somewhere else to hide when she was supposed to be doing something “proper” or “official”. Not that Mother had been much better, often trying to cut meetings as short as possible, or rushing off to deal with a crisis personally rather than bothering to talk to her advisors.

She smiled, trying to set the girl at ease. ‘Not practicing with your spear again?’

The girl grimaced. ‘Not allowed. A spear’s not “knightly” enough. Swords are stupid.’

‘Well, they have their uses, but you should practice with whatever weapon you feel most comfortable to start with, unless it’s something really stupid. I fight in close quarters, so a spear wouldn’t be good for me, but if you’re fighting in the open, or from a horse, then a spear’s a good choice. You looked pretty fast yesterday, been practicing long?’

A spark of pride entered the girl’s eyes, as she stood a little straighter. ‘I’ll need to use it, when I rule this place.’

‘Oh, you’re the heir of Verinal? Anyway, could you show me how to get out of here?’

‘Fine, I suppose.’ She sounded surly, but still moved towards the door, moving around Stathis. ‘There’s a shortcut, if you want.’

‘Thanks. Oh, I don’t suppose you’ve seen a woman around? Black hair with a red slash, very fancily dressed, probably in tight clothing and very attractive?’

She shook her head. ‘No. Although a lot of you adventurers look a bit strange. There’s this one I’ve seen that’s huge, he couldn’t fit into most of the castle! And he’s got grey skin.’

‘Yeah, I met him yesterday, name’s Brevik - he’s half giant. I saw him in a brawl, he was pretty impressive, even though he lost. So is everyone here for the tournament? I imagine this place is normally a lot quieter.’

‘A lot of the castle has only been opened up for this. Although father says that the money you’re paying will keep us going for years.’

‘I did notice the prices were high. So what’s the reason for the tournament? Some dungeon or something been discovered?’

‘The Witch of the Storm’s Eye has awoken, and father said this was the cheapest way to get a group of people to fight her. A lot cheaper than hiring them directly, he said.’

‘You probably shouldn’t be telling me that. Although I guessed it might be something similar. So who is this witch? Sounds powerful.’

‘She’s ancient, wakes up every so often and tries to destroy everything. Never for long, so she can be fought off, but smashes the place up a lot. That’s why this place is so empty. And why the castle is so oddly built – it’s been wrecked loads of times and keeps getting rebuilt by each time. But father intends to defeat her, and make this a proper kingdom, not just a castle in the middle of nowhere. And I’m going to be the queen of it, one day!’

Before Stathis could ask any more questions, they were interrupted by a loud clanking. Larrik was moving towards them in full armour, barely able to fit down the narrow hallway, looking annoyed.

‘Lady Tunera, you have been absent from your lessons again! That is not the action of a just and virtuous leader, is it?’

Stathis spoke quietly to Tunera. ‘Let me guess, he’s your weapons tutor?’ Tunera nodded.

‘And you shouldn’t be associating with such as this one! She may be a knight, but is no more than a lowly wretch in armour, aping her betters, despite having sworn sacred and holy oaths.’

‘Hey, no need to make it personal! Larrik, you don’t have to be such a dick.’

‘Knight Stathis, you will watch your language. Such words in front of a lady, and a child, no less. Small wonder, considering the company you keep. They are clearly having a corrosive effect on your already loose standards. Now come, Lady Tunera, you must practice your sword skills.’

Tunera sighed, a tone of resignation Stathis remembered from her own youth, although that had normally been when she’d had to attend to lessons or diplomatic meetings. Still, there wasn’t really much she could do about it, then or now. ‘So, which is the easiest way to get out of here?’ She directed the question at Tunera, ignoring Larrik.

She was given a brief, but complicated, set of instructions, which she tried to commit to memory. ‘Thanks. I’ll hopefully see you later.’ She brushed past Larrik, forcing him to duck into a sideroom to let her past – what the hell was he doing, wearing full armour inside? He must be roasting, and if this Storm Witch did attack, heavy metal armour seemed a bad idea. Might be good for Semari though, if she got zapped and didn’t die. A juiced-up Semari punching them in the face a lot might be a viable tactic, and distract them from spellcasting.

The directions were accurate, eventually leading her back to their room. When she opened the door, the first thing she saw was Janaxia’s leather-clad backside, suspended in empty space, with no sign of her upper body, feet kicking on the floor. Stathis grabbed the back of her top, trying not to be too forceful in case the material snapped, hauling her out of Hakara’s dimension. She was still dressed as she had been yesterday, and carrying her magical tome (was it fatter than before?) but she looked tired, grey marks of tiredness visible under her puffy eyes, red with tiredness rather than eldritch energy. She yawned, before making her way over to the bed, clothing melting and shifting into an excessively lacy and filmy nightgown, almost transparent.

‘Good morning, Stathis. I would ask that you show some courtesy and be quiet, as it has been a rather tiring night, and I would like to sleep. And some warning of Hakara’s sanctum would have been appreciated – a sign or a warning rope would be helpful.’ Darkness suddenly filled the room, utterly blinding Stathis as everything vanished from her sight. She tensed, but no acidic coldness manifested, instead just Janaxia’s voice from the impenetrable darkness. ‘I am going to sleep now and would appreciate being undisturbed.’ There was a soft sound of impact, likely Janaxia falling onto the bed.

Stathis jumped as Semari’s voice came from above, where she was probably still on the canopy above the bed. ‘Hakara went out already, she wanted to get more magical scrolls and stuff. Want to, like, go scope out the competition? If we’re in this tournament thing, should know who we’re fighting, right? Brevik’s probably one of the better brawlers, but I can take him. Reckon you can take that knight guy? He doesn’t like you.’

‘We’ve fought together before, and he’s got a grudge. He’s also teaching swordsmanship, it seems. But probably not very well – he’s a very good fighter, but not very patient with people.’ An angry grunt came from Janaxia, somewhere within the darkness. ‘Sorry Janaxia, we’ll head out.’ There was another sound, sounding less displeased this time. Stathis had to move slowly and carefully, trying to avoid stumbling into Hakara’s spell, fumbling for a wall, then feeling her way towards the door. As they left, Stathis tried to open and close the door as quietly as possible before speaking. Some of the darkness protruded outside of the room, an uncanny-looking patch of pure darkness extending in a smooth curve, hiding most of the door. ‘He also has a very strict view of what knights should be and how they should behave.’

‘Like, burn the villages, take all the pretty girls and boys, and all the gold? That’s what knights do, right?’

‘No, that’s bandits, knights are the opposite, at least in theory – be so strict and proper you never get anything done. He means well, sort of, but he’s just an asshole about it, and he never liked me. He thinks I cheated my way into the Order, and when we worked together, it didn’t go well. Anyway, shall we go find Hakara?’

Semari already looked bored, kicking her heels against the wall. ‘Sure, I guess. Janaxia’ll probably blast me if I go poke her, and that’s no fun. Wonder where she spent the night? Looked tired, but not, like,’ she made a crude thrusting gesture with her hands, ‘fun-tired. Any idea what she’s up to? Maybe she met up with that priestess or whatever.’

‘Not the priestess, I was summoned by her earlier today. I guess we can ask around, Janaxia stands out, and adventurers love to gossip. If she’s found another “friend”, then it probably won’t be hard to find out. As long as she’s not started another bloody revolution!’

‘Hey, that was one time. One time! You can’t hold that against me forever!’

Stathis laughed. ‘It was less than a month ago. And just like ripping someone’s arm off to use as a weapon was “just a phase”? Please don’t do it again. At least without telling me first.’

‘Hey, if I ripped a dragon’s tooth out of their head and stabbed someone with it, I’d be a badass, with, like songs and stuff! Just because it’s an arm, everyone’s all “ewww” and “gross” and “stop slapping someone with their own arm”. Totally unfair.’

‘Try to avoid ripping off body parts to use as weapons at all? You could maybe try and use actual weapons, instead of your fists, maybe? There’s even that flaming dagger if you want a magical weapon.’

‘It’s a bit puny.’ She made stabbing motions. ‘I’d want something cooler. Like flaming gauntlets, or boots wreathed in lightning or something. Y’know, something badass, not a dinky little stabby thing.’

‘You’ve got that bracer.’ Stathis tapped it, a blue zap shocking her finger. ‘Although I’ve no idea how the hell it works. Or how you work!’

Semari knocked it against her other forearm, twitching slightly from the shock, sparks travelling up and down her body. ‘Still hurts, but getting zapped up is pretty helpful in a fight. Still not as good as, like, wings and stuff like you get though! It’s less creepy than whatever Janaxia’s got, at least I don’t go all weird and creepy sometimes though. Plus I’m awesome, right?’

They passed through the courtyard, where Larrik was drilling Tunera in sword-strikes, heavy swings with a two-handed sword bigger than she was and unsuited for her light build, although it would help her strength. Stathis caught her eye, trying to express sympathy with a look as they walked past. ‘You were a bit strange in the underworld city. Your fighting style changed and became a lot more precise. It was like watching someone totally different. Someone that had actually been properly trained and fought in a practised way, rather than how you normally fight.’

‘I’d had a nice long sleep, I guess. It’s all a bit blurry.’

‘You ripped her arm off as well, actually. Seems to be a thing you do quite often, come to think of it.’

‘That got me this sweet, zappy bracer though.’ Semari struck it again, shuddering as the sparks travelled through her, imbuing her with a faint blue glow. ‘And wouldn’t you all be, like, dead otherwise? Don’t go bitching about ripping arms off when we woulda been killed otherwise!’

‘Sorry, Miss Armripper. Just don’t use them as weapons, OK? I think that’s the main thing people find objectionable.’

‘It was just a phase, stop being mean!’ Her complaints were cut short, as she got distracted, pointing past Stathis. ‘Hey, there’s Brand. Seems a bit old and poor for Janaxia, but maybe she’s branching out. Or eating his soul, whichever.’

‘I don’t think she eats souls. Or at least hasn’t yet. And I don’t think he’s her type. He’d need to be a hidden prince, or a half-dragon or something.’

‘Maybe that’s for later? Like, it starts with being bossy and horny, then she starts eating souls? That might be her game, and she’s gotten distracted or forgotten?’

Brand was running through some practice routines, moving easily over the uneven ground, his training sword knocking against that of a young man, hard enough to push him off balance but without knocking him over. They broke apart, Brand giving some pointers on footwork before they started again, another youth watching and following along. Nearby, a tilting area was set up, stakes hammered into the ground to mark where the audience would go. Stacks of lances were being piled up in preparation, next to an archery range, that would likely double up to be used for the wizardry competition.

He saw them coming and called the training to a halt, panting slightly, his skin with a slight sheen of sweat from his exertions. ‘Good morning to you both. Staying up at the castle? Too rich for my pocket, I’ve had to get rooms in the town. Still, found a few lads that don’t mind paying coin for some training, always call for those that can fight out here.’

‘Lucky break for you. Going to be taking part in the tournament?’

‘Don’t fancy my chances, think I’ll leave it to you. I’ll take a bet on you though, from the way you dealt with those harpies I reckon you’ve seen more action than a lot here. And I heard that you got in a fight yesterday, Semari.’

‘Yeah, dude was big, like, really big, but I still knocked him on his butt. Wouldn’t want to go to the ground with him, but in a fist-fight, I can take him.’

Stathis cut into the conversation. ‘Don’t suppose you saw Janaxia around yesterday? She went somewhere in the evening, I’m not sure where.’

‘Master Gervint’s doing a lot of business, maybe him? I saw Hakara going into his tent, he always likes to talk magical theory with wizards. He’s easy to find, his tent is the one with elementals guarding it. Seems a bit showy, but I suppose he wants to show his power, and it deters thieves well. And a fire elemental is useful for cooking on, as long as you’re polite to it. But I didn’t see Lady Janaxia, and she’s normally quite noticeable, I’m guessing? She’d have drawn a lot of eyes at the tavern.’

‘Yes, she probably would have. Must have found somewhere else to spend the night then. Hopefully she’s not causing any more chaos. Thanks, Brand.’

‘No problem.’ He turned back to the trainees, only just getting their breath back. ‘Blades up, get ready!’ He stepped towards them, blade already swinging for one, barely blocked in time with a loud clack. ‘Always be ready to protect yourself!’

Stathis left him to it, going to find the wizard’s tent they had passed yesterday. It was easy to find, swirling pillars of raw fire hovering in the air outside. Semari moved to poke the column of fire, then thought better of it, pulling her finger back and using a blade of grass instead. It ignited when it got too close, bursting into flames, Semari dropping it and blowing on her fingers to cool them. Stathis spoke to it, hoping it was awake and aware, if such concepts applied.

‘Can we enter?’

It moved slightly to the side, presumably granting permission. Stathis moved into the tent, pulling the flap aside, Semari trailing behind. Inside, the floor was covered with fancy rugs, bright reds and blues soft beneath her feet. Glass-fronted cabinets held ornately bound scrolls, wax seals glowing with soft magical power. A whirling column of air hovered in one corner, before darting towards them, cleaning up the dirt they tracked in. Before she could stop herself, Stathis apologised, despite not knowing if the elemental even had the awareness to realise. A gentle chime sounded, and a few moments later an elderly man appeared, stepping through an invisible slit in mid-air.

He definitely looked the part of a wizard, his fingers dripping with jewelled rings, robes covered with gaudy runes, beard tied into strands with twists of gold and silver, the overall effect barely short of blinding even without direct sunlight, the effect completed by half-moon glasses on his face. While Janaxia might dress to impress, she was normally a lot less gaudy! The man looked at them, expression bored.

‘Well, bring it out then. Whatever magical items you’ve found. I charge one hundred gold per item to discern powers, no negotiation. If I’m interested, I will buy it off you, but that is unlikely, although you may be able to find another buyer elsewhere. Come on then, be about it, I don’t have all day.’

‘Actually, we wanted to ask something.’

He sighed. ‘I’m not looking for guards either, and have no interest in commonplace reagents from whatever monsters you may have defeated recently.’

There was a zap as Semari poked the air elemental, a small bolt of lightning making her twitch, her eyes glowing blue for a second. The swirling pillar of air shot away and hid itself underneath a cabinet, like a worried puppy.

He spoke in another language, like a rushing wind, all drawn-out roars and rushing, hissing sounds. The elemental emerged from where it had hidden, dashing across the floor to move next to the wizard, where he spoke more soothingly. ‘Your companion should be more careful, Aasqushuy is normally unpleasant when provoked. But it seems it has taken a liking to her. But; to business. What, then, are you here for?’

‘I was wondering if one of my colleagues had been to visit you yesterday. She’s got black hair with a red streak, quite attractive,’ she ignored Semari leering at her, ‘and wearing dark clothing? Answers to “Janaxia” and a lot of titles, if she bothered giving her name. And I think Hakara came to see you as well?’

When she mentioned Hakara, the man’s expression changed, as he started to pay attention. ‘Hakara you say? Oh, you must be Stathis then? She mentioned you. So rare to meet a true scholar of the magical arts. So many simply learn the forms and apply them to nothing more than explosions and mindless violence. But she is impressively learned, for her age. Yes, she came to see what magic I could offer her, and we spent quite some time discussing magical theory.’ He gave Stathis a sharp look over the top of his spectacles. ‘I hope you appreciate her talents. If she came from a wealthier background, she would be conducting her own research and no doubt furthering magical knowledge in some useful manner, rather than traipsing about with adventurers, risking her life for paltry rewards. I even gave her a copy of one of my personal spells to ease her life a little, so that she can have her own sleeping chamber, rather than bedding down like a common sell-sword, and believe me, there are few I would do that for!’

‘Oh, that’s what that was. Pretty useful. And is easier than sharing the bed, so thanks for that.’

‘She has managed to cast it already? I am glad to have correctly judged her talents, that is most impressive. My advances in dimensional sanctums will be my legacy. And if I hadn’t been unfairly expelled from the Academy myself, no doubt my name would be ranked along the great names of history. But those that mingle great talent with low birth are always feared, mocked and rejected.’ He looked set to work through a likely well-worn rant, before Stathis intervened.

‘Thanks for the spell. And it’s good to see her stretch herself and learn new skills. But have you seen another wizard, a little more, um, dark looking?’

‘Oh, her.’ His tone was dismissive. ‘Blacks and reds, showing off, like some courtesan? Yes, she came by. Quite hopeless, I’m afraid. Hakara’s apprentice, I assume. Trying to play politics, I would surmise – she would be the unwanted, supernumerary daughter of some middling blood somewhere?’ He waved a hand, as though brushing off something unwanted. ‘All that effort she puts into her looks could be better used increasing her studies of arcane matters. She had some knowledge of the basics, or was able to parrot the right terms at least, but was quite unable to produce a standard magical missile on command! Instead she produced some strange bolt of force; quite what they teach these days, I really cannot imagine. And she was entirely unaware of any properly advanced theory, even what is commonly taught to any student willing to listen. I sold her a few scrolls, but I imagine they will be entirely wasted on one of her paltry talents.’

‘Did you tell her this?’

‘Of course not; she was willing to pay, so I humoured her delusions of competency and adequacy. But Hakara really should find a better student. One less likely to be distracted by petty, carnal concerns, when the grand system of arcana beckons to any willing to learn. And Hakara does seem to have a frankly exaggerated idea of her competency – that someone who doesn’t even know Mordnaiken’s formulae would be capable of fighting against a banshee? Preposterous!’ He spat the word with such force that it set his beard into motion, beaded strands clicking and clacking together. ‘She’s most likely lying about her own deeds, or found a magical wand or other device, to enhance her own power without having to acquire the required knowledge first. No, she will never be more than a stripling apprentice, and is too old to be correctly retrained.’

Stathis smiled and nodded, humouring him. ‘Thank you for the information. If Hakara does come by again, could you let her know we dropped by? Thanks.’

‘I will. And please, try and persuade Hakara to find a better apprentice – she has the talent for much more than adventuring and monster-killing, and associating with people of that ilk will simply hold her back. One’s heart must belong to nothing but the quest for true knowledge, not humouring some ill-witted flit’s delusions of adequacy. Or if you could persuade Hakara to return to her obvious true calling, and get her to return to the laboratory, rather than traipsing around some dungeon.’

Stathis dragged Semari away, as her hand reached towards the air elemental again, sparks of lightning already forming in the air between them. ‘I’ll see what she says. Thanks for your help. Oh, what spell scrolls did Janaxia buy?’

‘All simple spells, that any apprentice should know. Aristhia’s Alarm, a common summoning ritual and Gremare’s Disk. For someone as powerful as she claims to be, nothing she shouldn’t know, or be capable of working out herself, the principles are very basic.’

‘Yes, of course. Thank you for your time. And I’m sure Hakara will visit again soon.’ He relaxed slightly, as the air elemental moved closer towards Semari with an interested-sounding buzzing sound. ‘Sorry to trouble you.’ She pulled Semari back, as her arm reached out towards the elemental, finger extended for poking, lightning already sparking within the thing.

Back outside, Stathis shared her confusion with Semari. ‘Any idea what the hell that was all about? I can’t imagine Hakara lying about Janaxia being her apprentice, and whatever Janaxia’s issues are, she’s a decent mage. At least when she’s blowing things up.’

‘Yeah, or being spooky and creepy. Maybe she’s just stupid? Her book showed her magic, and she doesn’t know any proper magic?’

‘I guess. But she grew up in a family of wizards, shouldn’t they have noticed? Unless her powers are close enough to necromancy that they didn’t notice, or they didn’t care. And she is actually good at spells. Well, some spells. That darkness with the acid and tentacles, is a pretty decent attack spell, as long as she doesn’t get us with it. And the bolts of darkness don’t seem that unusual, although I guess I’ve never seen anyone knock people around like she does.’

‘Well, if her ancestor had similar powers, maybe she, like, gets a pass? Maybe she’s the chosen one of evil or something, going to devour the world or something?’ Semari made growling sounds, shaping her hands into claws and raking the air, mimicking shoving stuff into her mouth.

‘Wouldn’t she have better things to do than work with us then? She’d be on an obsidian throne surrounded by lackeys or something, while drinking the blood of a virgin, that kind of thing.’

‘Can’t see a virgin lasting long with her around, least if they’re sexy. Anyway, I guess you’d have a throne somewhere, and you’re here, aren’t you?’

‘It’s more of a council seat, actually. I turned down a throne. It’s embarrassing being sat on a massive fancy chair when everyone else is staring up at you. At least with a round table people aren’t always looking at you directly, and it’s easier to have a discussion, rather than dictate orders from on high. If Janaxia finds out about this, she’s going to be pissed.’

‘Yeah, sounds funny. Although probably unfair for Hakara. I guess the dude, like, assumed Hakara was Janaxia’s tutor or something? She is a lot more wizard-y than she is. Seemed to have a bug up his butt about other wizards, probably got kicked out of wizard school or something.’

‘Seems likely. So, Janaxia’s trying to learn proper magic now. Hopefully it won’t go horribly wrong and destroy anything.’

‘Hey, reckon she can learn that bedroom spell, like Hakara’s? Although I bet hers would be all creepy and fancy, a big bed and loads of fancy clothing. All sharp and pointy, and loads of, like, equipment.’ She waggled her eyebrows at Stathis. ‘And probably with a spooky gateway to that dark place that she calls up.’

‘I really hope not.’

‘Well, you’ll probably be the first to find out. So, that priestess anything to worry about?’

Stathis shook her head. ‘No, it’s just Carissia, she’s got some fire-god stuff going on at the moment. Although don’t tell Janaxia. Carissia’s sensed some great and powerful evil, which is I think might be Janaxia, and it’ll just complicate matters if they meet. And Carissia won’t think twice about killing Janaxia if she figures out she’s sensing her.’

‘Like, kill-kill? You don’t mean, like, sexy-kill or anything?’

‘No, she will straight up kill her. Demons must be destroyed, no quarter, no mercy, that’s her view. Which, fair enough, most demons have to be killed because they’re murder-happy bastards. But I don’t really know what Janaxia is, and killing her seems a bit unfair. She might be vain, self-absorbed and evil, but she’s not actually that bad.’

Semari was giving her an inscrutable gaze. ‘Shouldn’t you be vanquishing, like, evil or something? We could just use Hakara instead. She’s waaaaay less creepy, and less likely to eat our souls and stuff. And we don’t fight enough, like, horny medusas and stuff for “sleeping around” to be a useful skill.’

‘We’re not killing Janaxia, OK? At least unless she turns into an evil demonic sorcerer-queen or something, but hopefully things won’t get that bad.’

‘Aww, that’s no fun. We could pit her against this Stormwitch or whatever, sell tickets. That would be cool to see. Fine, we won’t murder Janaxia. But if she starts eating hearts or whatever, it’s your fault.’ She jabbed a finger at Stathis in accusation. ‘If we end up fighting a demon-queen, I’m blaming you, at least after punching her a lot.’ She shrugged. ‘Anyway, I’m going to go scope out the opposition, I’ll see you later.’

Semari wandered off, poking about the other stalls, leaving Stathis to herself. At least a promise to not kill Janaxia straight away was something. Although given that when they’d left Janaxia, she had been sleeping while ensconced in a sphere of darkness, after doing Gods-knows-what during the night, it would probably be a good idea to keep an eye on her. Again. Stathis sighed, wondering if she would be able to keep Janaxia away from Carissia, and also keep Janaxia safe from herself. Did she know she was a beacon of evil, or had she somehow not noticed that?