They returned to the quadrangle where the practices had been continuing, with the apprentice knights very much getting the worst of it. Most now bore bruises and other injuries. Stathis took a training sword and a shield, whispering to Yeros.

‘Is this a trick?’

‘You mean, will he try and kill you? I doubt it. He’s strange, but not murderous. But I’ve never seen him against anyone good with a sword, and I don’t want to get beaten up myself, so I’ve avoided the honour.’

‘So you’re using me to test him out? Great.’

They lined up, Stathis again wishing she had armour. But if he fought like Semari, she might stand a chance – Semari was fast, but not as tough as Stathis was, and her fists didn’t do as much damage as a blade. He bowed at her, then immediately attacked, a quick punch combo. She blocked with her shield, feeling the force of the impact, barely managing to stay standing. As he danced backwards, she counterattacked, his movements suddenly even faster, as she swung through empty air.

He was fast, even faster than Semari, retreating backward, then running in again, trying to come out her from strange angles. Despite his speed and power, he seemed strangely unpractised, attacks falling into distinct patterns and routines. Stathis blocked two of another series of punches, then stepped forward, bashing out with her shield. This connected, not hard enough to do much damage, but it caught the edge of his tunic, ripping it open as he was unbalanced for a moment, then he jumped into a backflip before she could follow up. As his top flapped open, she could see his chest beneath, the tattooed storm centred around a stylised dragon, a writhing coil of scales picked out in dark ink.

Then he attacked again, a feint shifting to low kick trying to sweep out her legs (something Semari normally did prior to trying to rip arms off), making Stathis jump back. As she did so, he smoothly rose into a spinning jump himself, twisting around in mid-air to deliver a series of powerful kicks. Once slipped through her guard, smashing into her shoulder and knocking her down to a knee. A fist came towards her, heading for her now-defenceless head, stopping barely short. Udaipur held it there long enough to make his victory clear, before drawing back and bowing again, Stathis standing up.

‘An interesting match, Knight Stathis. You lasted longer than any of the other knights I have fought. You seemed to expect some of my techniques.’

‘I’ve seen a lot of things, quite a few bar brawls.’

That got a reaction, a quick flare of breath. ‘The discipline of the Fist of Heaven is scarcely comparable to a bar brawl. It requires utmost dedication to order, even to the most basic principles, and the utmost focus to master.’

‘If you say so, but it’s still punches and kicks and grapples. If you can get someone on the ground, then you can try ripping their arms off and win that way.’

His eyes narrowed. ‘It is the ultimate fighting style, honed through endless practice and repetition. But you fought well, even if it was ultimately fruitless. But now we must depart.’ His followers moved themselves into neat ranks again, already moving towards the exit, Yeros’ novices heaving a sigh of relief. ‘Knight Stathis. I am sure we will have words again, but while you are here I would request that you refrain from any… unorthodox activity.’

It took an effort of will not to make a rude gesture at him, but Stathis forced herself to smile. ‘Of course, Udaipur. I’ll try and finish off those vampires and leave it at that.’

He didn’t respond, leading his followers away.

As soon as they were gone, everyone sighed in relief, Stathis turning to Yeros. ‘What the hell was that about?’

‘They’re from the Hidden Shrine. It’s that place in the middle of the city, has all of the special secret shrines, the Pantheon of All Gods, various ancient treasures, that sort of thing. They’re really secretive, “keepers of ancient truth” and so forth, guardians of some of the ancient relics and things, outside of the usual hierarchies of the Churches and Orders and whatnot. But they’ve been throwing their weight around lately, and lots of words. Words like “absolute truth” and “final law” and “true order”, about how everything should be arranged and organised. With the amount of shit hitting the fan, and so many of the big hitters out of town fighting fires, they’ve got a lot of pull all of a sudden. And a lot of them fight like that. Apparently they’ve been training themselves like that for centuries as guards of the Hidden Shrine, but don’t go outside much. Where did you find Semari? I don’t think they’ll like someone stealing their secrets.’ He turned back to the novices. ‘Back to training, lads! You don’t get to rest up in the field!’ They grumbled but returned to their sparring.

‘In the field fighting skeletons after getting shitfaced at a bar, you know how it works. She did say she was a rogue at the time, but she’s always been shit at lockpicking and finding traps, just good at surviving whatever happens afterwards. She does keeps punching things you shouldn’t be able to punch, like banshees or demons though. She doesn’t do anything else weird though I guessed she was, I don’t know, a descendent of some dragon or lightning spirit or something. Like whatever Janaxia’s deal is, but less evil.’

‘They don’t like other people knowing their secrets, so you might want to warn her to stay out of sight. They had some very public disagreements with one of the martial orders, they don’t like other people fighting like they do.’

‘I’ll pass it on. Also, why are all the novices here boys? Thought you’d have a few girls as well.’

Yeros groaned. ‘Bloody Larrik! He pointed out that, according to the most Ancient Rules and whatnot, all training facilities must be single sex. And Udaipur took it up as well, so I couldn’t do much about it. Now only servants, and those in service to a Knight, are allowed to be female. So now I’ve got a bunch of lads, half of whom think all women are precious maidens to be protected, the other half think that they’re all sorceresses or witches or demons. I’ve tried banning them from the local brothels repeatedly, but they’re not taking the damn hint! It makes them easier to train, I guess, but they’re going to get torn apart in the real world.’

‘Huh. Guess that’s why they looked at me a bit strangely.’

‘Yeah. And that wizard of yours is probably going to make most them melt into useless puddles! I need them to get used to at least the basic concept of women existing, otherwise they’re going to get eaten alive by the first siren or succubus they meet.’

‘I wouldn’t use Janaxia, she can be a bit overpowering at the best of times. And teaching them to be wary of incredibly attractive women with horns and shady magical powers is probably a good thing, to be honest. You could get Hakara to give them some magical lessons? She likes teaching people things. And probably won’t make them go strange.’

Part of the nearby shadows seethed, both Stathis and Yeros starting to draw their swords as Janaxia stepped out, now dressed for an intimate and casual breakfast, a silk dressing gown clinging to her body. She gave an extravagant yawn, stretching herself, the sounds of training coming to a halt.

‘See what I mean? This is what I have to work with.’ Yeros turned, trying to keep the novices from being too distracted by Janaxia.

Stathis turned to Janaxia. ‘You made it back OK then?’

Janaxia nodded. ‘Yes, thank you. It was a rather pleasing night.’ Stathis looked at her more closely – she was still wearing the choker, but now it had a few small dent-marks in, as though someone had tried to bite through it.

‘Looks like you had fun?’

‘Oh yes. They were very talented. It was deeply satisfactory for all involved, if I am any judge. Although you appear a touch dishevelled.’

‘Yeah, vampires in the catacombs. Killed some, drove the others off. So, you meeting up with your new friends again?’

‘An assignation has been arranged, yes.’ She smiled. ‘It is so nice to indulge oneself, is it not? Although I wasn’t expecting to draw such attention here.’ She looked past Stathis, gesturing at the novices, most still staring at her in either awe or terror, as Yeros tried to get them to work without staring at Janaxia. ‘Charming, if a little unsettling. Callow youth, I assume. So it seems as though you were partially successful? But I hear you have saved some poor unfortunate?’ Her tone turned sharp. ‘Did this one necessitate carrying?’

‘No, she carried herself.’

‘Hmm. Well, I daresay she will survive without your personal attention. Now, I was going to pay a visit to my ancestor, Shimura the Devil-Slayer, who was sainted after her death fighting Balephrax the Corruptor. Her bones are a relic of the Order of Yarruth.’ She took Stathis’ hand and smiled at her. ‘Considering the dangers, I would like to request your services as an escort.’

‘Danger? I’m actually worried about Semari.’

Janaxia waved a hand, her clothing rippling and shifting (and drawing the clatter of training swords to another halt, followed by Yeros’ shouts) into something more suitable for wearing outside. ‘I am quite sure that she will endure whatever hardship is currently pressing her. Some fisticuffs with vampires scarcely seems the sort of thing that will trouble her for long.’

‘It was a bit more than that. Actually, did you hear all the bells? Did that do anything to you?’

‘I am, once again, forced to say that I would very much prefer you to desist from such implications. They did seem overly loud, if not outright cacophonous. Scarcely the divine harmonies one would expect in such a place. But I am capable of hearing temple bells without ill-effect.’

‘Well, they made Semari have a seizure or something. She passed out, Parth’s looking after her.’

Janaxia looped an arm around Stathis’. ‘I’m quite sure she will endure. And there is little to be done until she recovers, I would surmise? So you may as well accompany myself. You are currently a little more rugged than I might prefer, but I suppose you wear it well enough.’ By now, her clothing her finished transforming, having settled into tight leather trousers that bared her skin at the thighs and another tight top, although this time the deep red was trimmed with blue. She also had a short cape covering her back, and elbow-length gloves, neatly symmetrical embroidery covering her top and cape.

She began walking, dragging Stathis with her along the shaded walkway. As they turned a corner, there was a startled squeak, Aimodia stepping around and almost bouncing off them. Stathis grabbed her by the wrist before she fell to the ground. She was still wrapped in a heavy cloak, holding herself protectively. She looked at Janaxia, eyes trailing up her body, taking in her clothing, then her horns.

‘Apologies, your ladyship.’ She hunched in on herself.

‘Don’t worry about it. Are you doing OK? Don’t force yourself, it’s fine to rest.’

‘Oh, no, I couldn’t sleep. But thank you for saving me.’ She leapt forward, wrapping her arms around Stathis in a hug of surprising strength, managing to push Janaxia away, her hands still chilly.

‘Don’t worry about it, really. We’re apparently just going out, would you like to come with us?’

Her eyes dropped to the floor. ‘Oh no, I wouldn’t want to leave this sanctuary. Those beasts still stalk the city, I think it safest to remain.’

‘Of course.’

As soon as she moved back, Janaxia squirmed back into place, in a flurry of warmth and perfume. She stared at Aimodia, lash flickering slightly. ‘Hmm. You appear a touch pale. Yes, I think you should go rest.’ She made a slight flicking gesture with her hand, as though dismissing a servant. ‘Your constitution will likely recover soon enough.’ Aimodia scuttled off again, cloak shrouding her form as she moved through the shadows.

‘That seemed a bit harsh, Janaxia. She’s been through a lot.’

‘Hmmm. She seems remarkably unphased. And has rather good diction for a simple pilgrim. But shall we be off?’

She tugged on Stathis’ arm, pulling her through the hallways and out into the street. As they moved, eldritch forces brushed over Stathis, cleaning the dust and grime from her skin and clothing, brushing her hair into something tidier. Her armour was buffed a little, some level of shine restored to the battered metal. Stathis sighed and shuddered as the dark forces brushed over her neck, but let herself be dragged along.