They woke early, Stathis having to rouse Janaxia and Hakara. Semari was still wrapped up in blankets, looking as though she hadn’t moved all night. Stathis checked her – her pulse was strong, but slow now, slower even than might be expected from sleeping. She was weakening, in spirit if not yet in body, which wasn’t a good sign. Still, if Janaxia could somehow make a case that she had obtained her combat skills rightfully, then she wouldn’t have to be maimed.

Hakara began setting up her magical spells, quickly chalking symbols onto the floor, a pale light shining out. Janaxia, of course, made rather more of a fuss over getting up early (at least as far as it was possible to tell, given the lack of windows), stretching and yawning, ostentatiously re-arranging her slip before starting to form her clothing, her cosmetics fading into existence. Then she handed the choker over to Stathis and turned around, kneeling on the edge of the bed and raising her hair out of the way.

‘Are we doing this every day now?’

Janaxia tested around to look at her. ‘Unless you have a pressing engagement elsewhere? If you would kindly do the honours.’

There was nothing for it but to carefully snap the metal around Janaxia’s neck, trying to ignore the scent of Janaxia, not yet replaced by more artificial fragrances. Janaxia shifted her neck to make sure it was settled comfortably, before forming the rest of her clothing and stretching, making sure it was properly laid out over her body, curving and falling where it should.

‘Now, who wishes to wake the unfortunate accused? While she may deserve it, using a lightning bolt seems unduly harsh.’

Parth carefully approached Semari then grabbed her rolled-up blanket by one end and lifted. It unrolled, Semari tumbling out and rolling across the floor, only stopping when she bumped against the wall. She lay there for a second before slowly standing up, sticking her tongue out at Parth.

‘That was mean, Parth!’ Semari looked at Hakara. ‘Are you going to zap me again? Can you, like, make it hurt less this time please?’

Hakara used a spell to lift her into the air. ‘I’m sorry, Semari. I don’t know of a way to reduce the pain without also reducing the energy, so this may sting a little. Sorry.’ She raised a hand, already crackling with lightning, as everyone else took a step back from her.

‘Eugh. Just get it over with. I’ll see if the thing in the clouds says anything useful this time.’

The lightning spiked into her, driving her body into a twitching spasm, arms flailing, eyes burning with a white glare. The same change as before overcame her, her voice changing as the bells started to toll. In here, the bells were barely audible, a vibrating rumble through the walls.

‘Free the storm! Let me rage, let my justice be served! Seek he who caged me in his heart, set me free, that I may punish the wicked!’

Stathis approached and spoke, hoping it would be able to hear her through Semari. ‘We want to help, but don’t know how. What do we need to do?’

Semari’s head twisted, a corona of lightning now surrounding her entire body, rippling in times with her words. A spark flicked out onto Stathis’ sword, running along the sheath before fading away.

‘Child of light! I claim your aid, by ancient pact. Free me, and I shall aid thee against your foes.’

‘Great. What do I need to do?’ Stathis tried to keep her voice calm in case the thing got angry. Why did mysterious voices always have to be so unhelpful and vague? ‘Someone is keeping you bound. Who? What do we have to do?’

Semari spasmed again, muscles twisting painfully as her body writhed out of control, a groan mixing in with her words. ‘The child grows weak. I would not strain her past bearing. But slay my captor and free me!’

The lightning vanished, Semari dropping to the ground, body smoking slightly.

Janaxia spoke. ‘Well, the entity was rather more communicative this time, although still vague as to specifics. I do hope that should I ever attract such a thing, they are more helpful, and somewhat less maddeningly cryptic. Still, it appears that there is some specific captor they spoke of. And they appeared to recognise you, Stathis.’

Stathis tried to shift attention away from that as fast as she could. ‘I think that was more a generic title, rather than anything else. So I guess it has some awareness? Semari, did you get anything?’

She carefully poked the now-dazed Semari, who took a moment to focus, blinking and shaking her head. ‘Angry storm. Whatever it is, they’re pissed. Don’t think they’ve had anyone to talk to since they were captured or whatever, so they really want to fuck someone up. Ain’t going to be pretty when they’re released.’

‘In a “the place is doomed” sort of way, or a “someone is getting a faceful of lighting” sort of way? Any idea how powerful this thing is?’

‘Dunno, how do you rank, like, a creepy ominous magical storm thing? Probably nasty? Aren’t there priests or something that can deal with this?’

‘Apparently bloody not. I guess it doesn’t feel demonic though? No horns, creepy shadows, generally being eldritch?’

‘Nah, nothing like Janaxia. It’s all stormy and windy, natural stuff. Wet and cold, not, y’know…’ She held up fingers against her head, imitating horns.

‘OK, so probably not a captive demon, that’s something. Hakara, Janaxia, either of you got any idea about this?’

Hakara called up her divination-orb, the sphere growing larger until it was almost a meter wide. Everything was filled with grey, drizzling haze, a white flash disrupting the spell, before the effect slowly recreated itself. ‘The being appears to be growing stronger or may able to affect the world more now. It certainly seems able to affect Miss Semari more now, but it makes it incredibly hard to pinpoint any physical location.’

Janaxia spoke while twining a golden chain around a horn. ‘If this entity is going to escape anyway, then it may be better to aid it. At least then it may feel somewhat well-disposed to us, and not kill us, should it be disposed towards violence.’

Stathis nodded. ‘That’s not the worst plan I’ve heard. Hopefully it’ll be friendly, but if it gets free, we make like that’s what we intended to happen. Might be able to keep it distracted and talking for long enough to do something. Or it might turn out to actually be friendly, who knows? Anyway, Semari, are you OK for this? You look like shit.’

She was drawn and tired, not helped by her hair being stuck at crazy angles, her clothing burnt and scorched from the lightning shocks she had suffered. ‘Feel like crap, but I guess I’ll survive. Is this going to be really boring again?’

‘I apologise that trying to keep you from dismemberment is something you find “boring”, I will endeavour to be more interesting in future.’

‘Sorry, Janaxia. Just tired. Thanks. I mean it.’

Janaxia looked slightly taken aback by Semari’s apology, fiddling with her robes for a moment to cover it. ‘Well, of course. I will do what I can. It would help matters if you have some justification for your skills – perhaps a kindly elderly relative that tutored you and then passed away, leaving some vaguely-phrased promises of a secret.’

‘Told you before, I’ve not got any ancestors.’

‘Yes, sadly. It would be convenient if you had something other than being found in a back alley by an infamous Drow thief and assassin. It makes it quite hard to induce sympathy for yourself when, by my count, you have aided and abetted in no less than thirty-seven thefts of ducal, royal, imperial or sacred treasures, seven regicides and countless other crimes against a variety of states, potentates and private individuals. You should probably be executed on general principle! But, with my help, then you may yet survive this.’

Stathis spoke. ‘Wait, what? What has she done? That sounds pretty bad.’

Janaxia waved her objections away. ‘Semari was working with the Ghost Spider, when she was active in the business of theft and assassination, and left quite the trail of chaos in her wake. I would not have suspected when we first met her in that basement in Karakani’Karpultarn that she was no less than the Ghost Spider! She scarcely looks the part, I would expect at least some clean armour, or some expensive clothing. Not to be fetching beers from the kitchen. Nevertheless, it is probably best to avoid any specific references as to quite what Semari has been doing with her skills. If asked, be non-specific and refer to your adventuring activities. If you could imply that you were, for example, saving orphans from burning buildings, that would likely be preferable to admitting a part in the assassination of Brithelmar the Unready.'

Hakara looked up from her spell. ‘How did he earn that name?’

‘He was unready. Specifically, for a Drow assassin dropping from the ceiling during the opening of a hospital and killing him. It came as quite a surprise to the nuns as well, at least in the moments they had before the place was set aflame. Although most of the orphans were evacuated, so I am told.’

Semari nodded. ‘Oh yeah, that one. Went pretty smooth; in, out, nice and simple. Good food as well.’

‘Yes, very specifically do not mention that, or anything similar. If you portray yourself as a simple dungeon-delver, it may play rather better than it being known that you were involved with a such a nefarious rogue as the Ghost Spider. Perhaps mention that Stathis has helped change your outlook on life? Not that she has made much of an effort at reform, but she is a Knight of the Sun, even if they are poorly regarded.’

‘Let’s not drag me into this, OK? Just try and avoid getting Semari chopped apart.’

Fortunately it wasn’t long before food arrived, plain bread and broth, and then they were escorted back to the trial chamber. There was even more of an audience now, rumours of the trial having filtered through the city, so those in attendance were not just the austerely-dressed monks, but now a wider range of priests and clerics.

Stathis looked over the judges – amongst the fancy costumes and priestly regalia, she could see the smoking figure from yesterday, now in the flesh. Their eyes met, and he winked at her, before returning to conversation with the priestess to his side. Janaxia was currently lost in analysis of the tablets again, so Stathis poked Semari, who had already fallen into a stupor.

‘You recognise that guy at all? I think he knows something – any idea?’

‘Old guy? No idea.’

‘OK. Well, keep an eye on him, just in case.’

Semari groaned, sagging backwards on her seat. ‘Fine, whatever. I’m sticking close to Parth, in case we gotta leave. Hate this place.’ She wrapped arms around herself and shivered. Stathis felt Semari’s forehead – she was feverish, her skin clammy.

‘It shouldn’t be much longer, just hang in there.’ Stathis risked a tiny mote of healing energy – the sunny energy appeared for a moment before vanishing, without any obvious effect. Whatever afflicted Semari seemed more a sickness of spirit than body, something Stathis couldn’t heal. The larger crowd meant that it took longer to get everyone settled, gongs being struck under the conversation died down.

‘Today, you must decide upon a most serious charge. An allegation has been made, that the very secrets of heaven have been stolen. This order was created to guard the secrets of the gods of order, a force independent of any other order, not dependent on weapons, able to strike down even demons with their bare hands.’ Udaipur punched the air, hard enough to create a faint ripple in the air. ‘If such secrets are spread into the wider world, then those opposed to us may learn of them, and be able to counter them. For centuries, since the Great Darkness, we have laboured to create the perfect fighting style, able to adapt to any circumstance, warriors able to function without supply lines, mobile enough to strike at enemy supply lines, fast enough to strike and vanish. But these abilities must remain secret – if they are to be spread into the wider world, then there is the danger that the forces of darkness will learn of them. It is for this reason that we guard our secrets closely, and ensure they are not spread more widely.’

He looked at Semari, hatred clear on his face. ‘It is for these reasons that we demand that Semari be rendered incapable of teaching others.’

Janaxia rose, in an impressive flurry of robes, doing a motion in the centre that might have been a bow, or just preventing some of the layers falling off. ‘While the law is indeed very clear that those who steal the power of the heavens must be punished most harshly, there is no evidence that Semari came by her abilities unlawfully. You appear to begin training your students quite young – it seems likely that Semari was simply a student that escaped your charge at some point. In which case she would have come by her powers entirely legitimately.’

Udaipur shook his head. ‘Impossible. None with such skills are permitted to leave.’

‘Then she must have developed them herself, in which case she didn’t steal them. While your abilities may be unusual, “punching” is not something to which you have exclusive access. As it stands, are you planning on prosecuting any overly skilled tavern brawler or pugilist? I could probably turn up a number of skilled fist-fighters by emptying out the lower sort of meeting place in this city.’

They continued to dicker, Stathis trying not to nod off, lost amidst the haze of legalities. When Janaxia glanced backwards, Stathis roused herself to give what was hopefully an encouraging smile, kicking Semari under the table to wake her up. She lifted her head from the table, drool down her chin, head bobbing. ‘Have I been found guilty yet?’

‘Just try and look innocent and be nice to Janaxia afterwards.’

Semari let her head sink down, thudding loudly against the table as she groaned. ‘At least death would get this over with!’

The discussion seemed to be getting more intense, Janaxia’s cool dismissal of Udaipur’s arguments clearly rattling him, although he kept going. Stathis blinked through another fug of boredom and tiredness, as Udaipur made some statement, crossing his arms with an air of finality. Janaxia turned around. ‘I have managed to get your sentence reduced to a contest, to be judged by heaven.’

Semari didn’t respond until Stathis and Parth both prodded her into grumbling wakefulness, Stathis speaking. ‘So, a fight then? Shit.’

Semari woke up a bit more. ‘Gotta fight him? Eugh, better than being talked to death, I guess.’

‘He’s better than you are. I sparred with him, and he’s fast. But he moves like everything is training, if you can get him off-balance, you might be able to break his sequence and throw him off. I don’t know how much real combat he’s seen, it might be worth trying something unexpected.’

Stathis touched her – Semari still felt chill and clammy. ‘I’ll see what I can do.’

‘Remember, he knows how to fight like you do, so he won’t underestimate you like everyone else does. Be careful.’

Parth gave her several berries, which Semari consumed, some colour returning to her features. She slammed her knuckles together, attempting to psych herself up, still sounding tired. ‘Sure, going to have to go direct. Is this, like, to the death, or what?’

‘To the surrender, technically. I doubt he will give you quarter though, and I would recommend the same attitude. Perhaps you should employ dirty blows if possible? A swift strike to the eyes or groin may aid your cause, I feel.’

Stathis nodded. ‘Yeah, don’t feel the need to go easy on him. If you can. I don’t know why he’s got it in for you, but he’s not holding back. He’s probably something to do with the lightning stuff as well.’

Semari stretched a bit, trying to work herself up to a fighting mood, although she still looked drawn and ill. ‘Where we doing this? Got somewhere special, or we doing it here?’

Janaxia turned and squinted at the tablets. ‘The delightfully named “Chamber of the Final Judgement of Mortal Blood”. I suspect it loses something in translation. No weapons other than your bodies, allies may be present but may not target the enemy with any spells. That is interesting – Hakara, if you can cast anything to aid Semari, then that is legitimate aid. Sadly, I failed to prepare any such spells today.’

Hakara was already casting something, a stony tint appearing over Semari’s skin. ‘An interesting omission.’

‘A deliberate one, I rather suspect.’ Janaxia pointed at Udaipur, who was bathed in a series of magical glows from his allies, virtually aglow with power. ‘Although the rules do not begin until they are in the arena, so I will attempt to disrupt the magic en-route.’

They began walking, a chill gust of air coming from Udaipur as the shadows around Janaxia deepened for a moment, her horns suddenly a glossy black. Hakara looked at her, taking some notes, then stepping over and whispering something to her. The magic laid on him flickered and faded, as they moved into another chamber. This one held a lowered pit, for the fighting, with enough space around the edge of the audience. Udaipur vaulted over the edge and stood there, expectantly.