Janaxia was holding on even more tightly now, dragging Stathis along in her eagerness. They were led from the administrative halls, through a security checkpoint, and then into the high gardens, atop the oldest part of the castle. Fireflies danced between bushes, the moonlight shading everything silver. A marquee had been erected, but mercifully they weren’t led towards that, instead towards a low, stone building, built like a temple. More Winged Guard lined the route, although she could see a cluster of them around the back, relaxing out of sight, passing around some drink and food.

As they approached, a herald stopped them; the inevitable large, red-faced man, used to shouting a lot. They had to wait at the entrance, able to see inside, but not yet go in – Stathis could see tables had been erected, a smattering of commanders and ambassadors, but not enough to make this a diplomatic incident waiting to happen. The herald stepped to the entrance and took a deep breath, Stathis wincing in preparation, wishing she could cover her ears.

‘High Colonel Stathis of the Iristari, heir to the Commander, dragon slayer, warden against the great dark, wielder of the holy blade Sunsear, Duchess of Greybridge, the Marquis of Farnham.’

Janaxia gave her a questioning look, and Stathis whispered a response. ‘Redcastle, remember? I broke it. To kill a demon, but still. Don’t think it’s been fixed since.’ The herald stepped back to allow Stathis through, shaking his head at Janaxia, who detached herself, waiting to be announced.

‘Parthenelle TelQasar Belphern, Thrice-Queen of the Everfrost Mountains, the Tel-Qasar Plains and Greater Belphern, Blessed of the Woods. Be welcome amongst the Iristari.’

Parth emerged from the bushes, walking in with a confident strut, garbed in the finery of her folk, clothing probably thousands of years old. Stathis was shown to her seat, at the high table, already set with drink. She could still see outside, watching Janaxia settle herself, ready to be announced now. ‘Semari, beloved of Ronteah, the shining spear of heaven, blessed with fists of lightning. Be welcome against the Iristari.’ Semari looked up from the flower she was scrutinising, then walked in, Stathis pointing at a seat on the next table.

‘Hakara Trevant, graduate of the Barinian Academy. Be welcome amongst the Iristari.’ Hakara looked surprised, but entered, almost scuttling past to avoid Janaxia’s glaring eyes. Her lips were tightly pursed, a finger tapping against her arm, lash throbbing.

‘Janaxia, wizard of the Goldthirst Company, and Stathis’ companion.’ Stathis suppressed a groan. That would set tongues wagging. And Janaxia still looked annoyed, as she was finally allowed entry, stalking across the room and taking her seat. Her body was tense, hair a worrying blood-red tint, although it wasn’t quite bright enough to glow. She settled into the chair, taking an indignant sip of wine before speaking.

‘While I appreciate that a certain amount of circumspectness may be required, that introduction was verging on the brusque, as though I am simply an extension of yourself! Although I suppose if I must be treated so, it is better to be associated with such a luminary as the Iristari heir. Although maybe I should have worn a mask, or gone veiled? To add a touch of mystery.’ Fine, shimmering gauze spun itself into being along the bottom half of her face, a band of copper holding it in place.

‘I don’t know, I quite like seeing your face. And wearing masks and veils is a really good way to get stopped by the guard all the time, they frown upon that sort of thing here. Rather forcefully. So none of that, please.’

The veil vanished. ‘Very well. I suppose I shall have to endure. Now, I imagine this will be served in the Athanian style?’

‘Yes. Although it’s not high Athanian, so there’s less breaks, no dancing and no shows. So we might be done by midnight, unless something kicks off.’ Janaxia looked slightly disappointed. ‘This isn’t a major dinner, so there’s no entertainment or anything. Also, just to set your expectations, the food will be on ceramic plates. We used to use silver, but they cool the food too much.’

‘Hmm. An acceptable compromise, I suppose, as long as they are suitably well made. The wine, at least, meets my expectations.’ She took another sip, then sighed. ‘While I appreciate you are concerned about your friend, I’m sure she will be receiving the best care available. I’m sure that soon she will be recovered such that you can talk to her. You will doubtless have much to discuss.’

Stathis tried to make herself relax, as Janaxia took her hand. ‘How did you get her out? Teleportation isn’t meant to work.’

‘Most teleportation spells affect an area of space, so transporting a victim simply creates another block of the stuff and a hole in the original. But my spell affects only an individual, and so allows for their removal from the Everfrost. Hopefully she didn’t find the spell too arduous?’

‘Yes, the infinite black darkness will probably have freaked her out. But thanks. I mean it – I don’t know if anyone else would have been able to get her out. I’m sure Pajaran will be thankful as well.’ Stathis squeezed Janaxia’s hand. ‘So don’t start getting stroppy because you had to be announced last. It’s better up here than down in a cell.’

‘Hmm, I suppose you do have a point. I do hope Greganx is being treated with appropriate harshness? Gruel and ditchwater or suchlike?’

‘You really don’t like him, do you?’

‘He is rather sorely in need of punishment. He was a terror growing up with. Are you sure he won’t be tortured? I’m sure a dagger through his hand would loosen his tongue significantly, and he surely doesn’t need all his fingers?’

Stathis squeezed Janaxia’s hand again. ‘There’s more efficient ways to get the answers. And that are a lot less messy! Just enjoy the meal, I’m sure we’ll get any answers soon enough.’

I suppose, but it does seem rather unsatisfying. Considering your mother’s reputation, I was expecting something rather more… viscerally satisfying. She had turned, and was now exchanging empty pleasantries with those nearby, although her demeanour seemed to indicate that she was granting them a favour by deigning to notice their presence.

As she did so, occasionally making mental asides to Stathis, she didn’t remove her hand, letting it rest atop Stathis’ arm. Stathis let herself think about Pajaran – now that she was out of the ice, she would be OK, wouldn’t? Although explaining Janaxia, and everything else that had happened, might be complicated.

The meal started, Mother taking her seat at the top of the highest table, Dorothia close by, deep in discussion. It was probably important, but the thought of the responsibility, of being in charge all the damn time, was chilling. No wonder Mother was looking tired! And whatever this expansion plan was… One of the servers came over, placing food in front of Stathis. As they did so, they moved close, whispering a message.

‘The sun shall rise.’

They moved away before Stathis had the chance to respond, trying to figure out what they had said. What was that about? There was a golden disc on the side of her plate – at first she thought it was a coin, but it wasn’t of any currency she recognised. One side was stamped with a pair of wings, the other with a stylised sunburst. Fortunately, Janaxia was still lost in conversation and didn’t notice as Stathis pocketed it. She tried to spot the server again, but they had moved away, lost amongst the other workers. Was this more “Sheathed Eye” business, whatever that was?’

She had to wrestle her hand free of Janaxia’s grip before she could eat, flicking it away as it tried to grasp her again. The food was good though, beef in a thick, rich broth, although she had to force herself to eat slowly, in time with everyone else. Semari didn’t follow etiquette, digging in with gusto, drinking off the broth once she was done, raising her plate and asking for more.

Janaxia ate with all the decorum of an imperial magnate, although the low light cast her into a decidedly ominous cast, a nearby magelight shining with pale red energy, matching her hairlash. She caught Stathis’ eye and smiled, quite at odds with her eldritch appearence.

Well, this is rather pleasant, is it not? I would rather have had a full introduction, to make it quite clear the weight of blood and honours I bear, but I suppose I can bear the sacrifice, just this once. Her hand moved towards Stathis, who made to spear a potato, not wanting to get entangled again.

‘Hopefully nothing’s going to kick off.’ Stathis reached for her cup, managing to evade another attempt at grabbing her hand. ‘Are you doing anything after this? We really need to talk.’

Janaxia’s eyes gleamed, green somehow flaring in the dim light, almost serpentine. Oh? Are there some matters that particularly need discussion? She turned away, returning to emptily light conversation with the person next to her. In order to be heard, Stathis had to move her head close to Janaxia, catching her scent again, whispering into her ear. Dorothia gave her a smirk, before distracting Mother with some more business.

‘Kinda, yeah. We probably should have talked about it a while ago, but this is always awkward with people you work with.’

Oh? Were you not working with Brina when you had your first assignation?

‘No, actually. It was the festival at Redcastle, and then some cultists tried to kill me, so it was more of an accidental thing. And we both got really drunk and things sort of just happened.’

A bottle of wine levitated over, pouring itself into Stathis’ cup, Janaxia still turned away. Stathis had to resist running fingers down her bare back, just to provoke a reaction. I shall endeavour to recreate such circumstances. Although, one hopes, without the erstwhile assassination, that sounds decidedly uncouth.

‘Yeah, that was a pain in the ass. Anyway, try not to go odd until then?’

Janaxia tensed, continuing to speak. I really don’t know what you are talking about, but I shall look forward to this… conversation. I do hope it will be mutually satisfying. The tone of her mind-speech expressed both smugness and doubt.

The meal was fortunately dull, without any high-blown speeches, lengthy entertainments or anyone personally pleading for Stathis’ intervention on some arcane legal matter or to fight someone or something. She tried to spot the server that had passed her the coin again, but the low light made it hard to tell. The token felt strangely warm in her hand, more than just body heat, but she didn’t want to pull it out to look at it, just in case that had some deeper meaning or activated a spell.

Mother’s plate was still mostly full, until she looked away from her conversation with Dorothia and started to wolf it down, almost mechanically. She really did work herself hard, despite the occasional efforts of her advisors to slow her down or take some of the workload. Others occasionally came forward to talk to her, most bearing paperwork, the table around her getting increasingly covered with the stuff.

The meal seemed relatively short, as the plates were cleared away, some people leaving as soon as possible, others loitering around with the awkward air of those that had business but weren’t quite sure how to broach it. Another attendant delivered a message, neatly folded paper hold shut with a wax seal. She cracked it open, twisting away so that Janaxia, suddenly interested, couldn’t see.

The Lord Commander requests the presence of Knight of the Sun, Stathis of the Iristari.

Stathis sighed, pushing her chair back and standing, feeling a hand grabbing the back of her shirt. She glanced back to see Janaxia gripping on, despite still being engaged in politely meaningless chatter. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll only be gone a minute.’ The hand slowly let go, releasing her. She walked across the room, staring at a member of the Guard until they let her pass, until she was stood next to Mother. Dorothia looked up, nudging Mother.

Stathis held up the paper. ‘Hi. I’ve just got something else I need to go over with one of my team first, then I can come talk to you. Can we do it in one of the meeting rooms, the chairs are more comfortable, and there’s less staff bustling about.’

Mother looked at her, face guarded and neutral. ‘Well, Knight Stathis appears to be very busy, I wasn’t sure how else to ensure she would have time.’

‘I may not want to be in charge of a whole damn nation, but as long as I’m not being thrown into shit, I’ve always got time for family.’

She laughed, a few sharp sounds, drawing attention. ‘Spoken like a true soldier! I really did teach you well, didn’t I?’

Stathis smiled back. ‘More than you know, I think. I might not want to lead, but you taught me everything I needed and more of how to fight and live. Anyway, is it urgent? I’ve just got some company stuff to resolve first, then we can talk. Is it related to this?’ She pulled out the golden token, Mother wincing as she saw it.

‘Yes, amongst other things. That… that was partially my fault, I’m sorry to say. Although this one had more than a little to do with it as well.’ She nudged Dorothia, who looked embarrassed and ashamed. ‘I’ll explain more in private. You can trust them, but they may have rather… stretched expectations of your capabilities, shall we say. Although I would advise caution around that one.’ She gestured at Janaxia, who caught the movement and looked incredibly smug, now that someone of rank was acknowledging her. ‘That family is stepped in ancient darkness, from their founder all the way down through the centuries.’

It didn’t seem the time to say that she’d met the founder, and he was mostly fairly relaxed, at least these days. ‘Don’t worry, I’ll keep her under observation. She’s had ample opportunity to do things and hasn’t, so I think she’s mostly safe. Is the green drawing room free?’

Dorothia spoke. ‘It’s not green anymore, it’s a slightly garish yellow. Although the name has stuck, rather annoyingly.’

‘OK, the garish yellow drawing room. In two hours? That should let me tie everything up.’

Mother nodded. ‘Very well. I suppose it can wait a few hours.’ Then she stood, stepping around the table. Stathis noted with some surprise that she was actually now taller than Mother, although not by much. It was strange looking down on her, and seeing her without a squad of Guard in attendance. They shook hands, before she was pulled into a tight embrace, Mother slapping her on the back several times. ‘It truly is good to see you again, my daughter. With both you and Carissia gone, this place seems far emptier. While I understand your reticence, better you take the lead here then some prattling fool of a noble that’s never seen the battlefield, or a bloodless paper-pusher.’

Before they separated, Stathis sighed and responded. ‘I know, and I will come back, but…’

‘You want to travel the world and have some fun first? I understand, but I don’t know if the world will be forgiving enough to let you have your fun. But for at least a few hours, you may simply be Knight Stathis, rather than Stathis of the Iristari, or Stathis, daughter of both her mother and her father, with a twinned destiny to bear into the darkest of times.’

They broke apart, Mother grinning while making a gesture of dismissal. ‘Go, then. Enjoy your freedom. Gods know that you won’t be making more mistakes than I did! Just promise me not to conquer any lands that are already Irisati.’ She smiled, Stathis grinning back. ‘Until later, daughter of mine.’

They knocked knuckles together, Dorothia rolling her eyes out of sight. ‘Thank you, Mother. For everything, really. I’ll try to stick around for a while this time.’

‘Good. I’m sure I can dump some duties onto you, some of the Guard are getting sloppy and pudgy. But go enjoy yourself now, there’s plenty of time for that later.’

Stathis saluted, then returned to Janaxia. ‘OK, let’s go. I need to go talk to Mother later, but this is more important.’

If Janaxia was any smugger, her head would explode. ‘More important than speaking to the Lord Commander of the Iristari? Well, I feel truly honoured!’ Her lash throbbed with satisfaction, as Stathis led her away from the table.

Out in the gardens, she looked around, Janaxia following behind, leading her towards some thick bushes and pushing through. On the other side was a stone wall, rough and uneven.

‘If we climb over, we’ll be in the White Gardens. Should be nice and quiet this time of night.’ She’d done it often enough as a child that finding the handholds was easy, as she clambered over and then dropped down. The trees were all in bloom, white petals catching the moonlight. Janaxia’s head slowly emerged over the wall as she rose up on her platform of darkness, before stepping over and more decorously dropping down, Stathis catching her.

Janaxia immediately wriggled around in Stathis’ arms, making herself comfortable. ‘Well, this is rather pleasant. If we hadn’t just eaten, then a moonlit picnic would be quite appealing.’ Stathis tried to tilt her arms to make Janaxia stand, but that only served to tighten her grip, making it clear she had no intention of letting herself be put down without a fight. Janaxia’s eyes sparkled, a deep emerald green, as she tilted her head expectantly.

‘Right, so, um…’ There was a rustle above them, a few petals drifting down. Stathis didn’t even look up. ‘Semari, piss off, this is not a good time.’ A disappointed grumble came from above them, followed by the whispering rustle of branches bending, more petals falling.

‘Masterfully done, Stathis of the Iristari. Perhaps you should be commanding more often?’

‘So, how are we doing this?’

Janaxia twisted a finger through her hair, moving her head, a horn brushing against Stathis’ chest. ‘Well, the High Colonel Stathis could simply command?’

‘I meant more in the long term.’

Janaxia blushed and spluttered, seemingly taken aback. ‘Well, I must confess, I hadn’t given a lot of thought to the long term, and find myself rather quite taken aback, and not inconsiderably flattered that you appear to have! Perhaps a co-regency of some fashion?’

‘Not like that! I mean that you have some rather odd tastes. I’m not biting you.’

She looked disappointed. ‘Not even a little?’

‘Maybe a nibble, if you really insist? But I don’t see the appeal. I’m sure we can work something out though.’

Janaxia nodded. ‘I am willing to be… flexible on such matters. Although would not deeds be rather more instructive than words?’ She pushed her face forwards, Stathis leaning towards her. Their lips brushed, then kissed together.

Cold and hate burnt through the kiss. Stathis tensed, unable to pull back. She could feel the cold clawing at her, wrenching at her soul, light dimming under an assault of darkness. She tried to pull back, but Janaxia’s arms were tight around the back of her head, their faces locked together. Her vision swam, the white petals fading to grey, shadows turning into crimson sprawls, the cold paralyzing her, preventing her drawing back or even moving.

The only sound she could make was a weak, strangled grunt, although she could feel Janaxia’s body, warm and soft against her, tongue slick, taste of wine strong in Stathis’ mouth. Her voice sounded in Stathis’ soul, deafeningly loud. While I am aware that I can be rather overwhelming, I was expecting something more of a response. Her hand stroked Stathis’ face, the nails now long, crimson talons.

Stathis felt her body collapse, sinking to the ground, Janaxia falling as well. Her perspective twisted, world growing misty, the white petals now fading into a vague haze, the only things clearly defined Janaxia and her own body. Janaxia looked concerned once she had recovered her balance, checking Stathis’ body. ‘Stathis? Stathis!?’

There was a shout from somewhere Stathis couldn’t see, harsh firelight intruding through the haze. There was the ring of steel. ‘The Lightbringer has been attacked! To the White Garden!’

Janaxia raised her arms, trying to explain. Her lock was bright now, the crimson tinged with true light, the red light of an blood-red dawn, promising only suffering. ‘No! I didn’t attack her, we just…’ An attacker charged towards her, before flying backwards as Janaxia flicked several bolts at them. She knelt over Stathis’ body. ‘Please wake up Stathis. There appears to have been some dreadful misunderstanding.’ There were more shouts from nearby, the alarm bell ringing already. Janaxia tilted her head over Stathis’ face, checking for breathing, motes of light getting drawn from Stathis and into Janaxia.

She felt herself grow weaker, the world shrinking even more, mist encroaching. She could see shapes forming in the thick haze, ominous and threatening. Her hand went to her waist – she seemed to have a sword still, so she drew it. The gem on the hilt was dead, not even a hint of a glow, but it felt good to have a weapon.

Another guard ran in, dodging a bolt and striking at Janaxia, drawing blood with a fumbled slice. Janaxia hissed in pain before blasting them away. Her lash was like an angry sear, a red wound in the world, as she glanced about in panic. She reached it with a hand, talons slicing through the air, cutting a hole in the world and stepping through.

Reality lurched, and suddenly they were in Stathis’ room. Semari shot past, having apparently just thrown herself against the window-barrier again. Stathis felt strangely calm, although the roiling mists were still thickening, now close enough she could barely see the walls of the room, threatening shapes still gathering just out of sight.

Janaxia spoke, trying to appear calm. ‘Good evening, Semari. I don’t suppose you remember how to open the passageway to the city? I find myself suddenly desirous of a drink.’

‘Dammit, Stathis shot you down? Coward. I had gold riding on that. Gold!’

Janaxia must have felt panic, as she didn’t even task Semari to task or correct her. ‘Time is rather pressing. If you were to accompany me, then I may even buy you a drink.’

‘Got shot down and want to, like, drown your sorrows? That’s fair, I guess.’ She moved over to the wall and fiddled around, the stone wall fading away. ‘That portal thing’s new, looked pretty grrrkt…’ She was cut off as Janaxia pushed past her, eldritch energy dragging Semari along behind. Not wanting to fall into the mist, Stathis moved to follow, stepping along close behind as Janaxia hustled downwards.

The stairway spiralled downwards, taking them through solid rock, before ending in a tavern basement, surrounded by kegs and casks. To Stathis, it was muted and quiet, but from how Janaxia winced and covered her ears, the sound of the customers above must be loud. Dorothia had been swift to action, a guard looking blearily at them, before he was thrown backwards against a wall by more of Janaxia’s bolts. From his groan, he was mostly uninjured, just dazed, as Janaxia moved upstairs, Semari following.

‘Hey, I thought they were, like, friendly? Is this a rebellion thing? ‘Cos they’re always messy, and I never know who to punch.’

Janaxia’s tattoo was between her shoulder blades, the dark now flecked with lines of light, as though something was submerged in deep black ink, fighting to get out, to not drown. Vrintar was there, surrounded by empty tankards, catching Janaxia as she stepped forward and stumbled. She recovered herself, trying to look inconspicuous, although between her dress and having come up from the cellar, was still drawing attention, currently more in admiration rather than fear.

She smiled, frostily polite, and began walking towards the door, a crown of black iron appearing above Vrintar’s head, her tattoos starting to flicker with heat as she trailed after Janaxia, eyes strangely glazed.

Outside, all Stathis could see was Janaxia and Vrintar, Semari close behind, and the stones beneath their feet – everything else was empty haze and mist, although the shapes seemed to be growing thicker. She tried stabbing one, the shape simply flowing like smoke, before reforming into a vaguely humanoid figure when she withdrew her blade.

There was the clatter of steel, audible even here, armour moving, metal boots on cobblestones as guards appeared, blades at the ready. They fanned out, surrounding Janaxia, as she gestured at Vrintar, who drew her axes, ready to fight. Janaxia cast a spell, darkness billowing out, shouts and cries of pain from the guard before they managed to dive out of it.

Then the darkness vanished, a strong wind blowing from on high, the Guard taking a cautious step back. A spear shot from the mist, Janaxia barely deflecting it with a startled bolt of darkness, the attack still embedding the spear deeply into the cobbles, runes spiralling around the haft. Still in her casual clothing, Mother gracefully landed on the ground, A blade in each hand, clothing fluttering around her from some flying spell.

‘The darkness runs deep in your blood, doesn’t it? How long have you been waiting for, to consume her soul?’

Janaxia flung bolts of darkness at her, which she casually deflected with her blades, enchanted steel turning aside the spells. ‘I don’t know what…’

She was cut off, Mother moving forward, impossibly fast, trying to skewer Janaxia through the heart. Stathis dove forward, throwing herself in the way, but the blade only passed through her body. She turned around in time to see Mother fighting Vrintar, weaving between heavy strikes, blood already flowing over Vrintar’s body, hissing where it touched her marks.

‘You would bind this one as a pawn, and have her sacrifice her life to protect your miserable hide?’ A blade flicked out, turning aside an axe and letting Mother step inside Vrintar’s guard, a hilt-punch to the gut knocking the wind from her. Before Vrintar could recover, another slapping chop from a blade sent an axe flying. ‘It will be a pleasure to have your blood on my blades. I wonder who knows more, you or your brother? Either way, I’m sure one of you will tell me everything I need to know.’ The way she spoke, ice-calm assurance, was more terrifying than shouting – Stathis had seen her fight before, but always with more emotion than this, even if it was the simple pride of a warrior testing their skills.

Vrintar tried punching her, Mother doding, blood spurting all along Vrintar’s arm from a long slice, making her draw back in pain. A feint to the leg became a backhanded chop to the face, Vrintar’s eyes glazing over as she struggled to stand, slumping over, barely standing as Mother stepped past her, the threat now gone. ‘You will return my daughter to me. She is more than you will ever, can ever, be. You are nothing but a wretched, fallen by-blow of an ancient curse, who should never even have been born’ She pointed a sword at Janaxia, enchanted blade glowing a fierce blue. ‘She was the light of this world, however much she may have denied it. Return her spirit, and I promise you a merciful death, not that you deserve it. Deny me that, and you die by inches and years.’

Janaxia’s eyes were darting around, desperate for escape, her lash throbbing madly, tattoo spiralling madly. ‘I don’t know! I didn’t, I don’t know what I did! Please, we kissed, and then…’ She groaned in pain, clutching at her chest, her tattoo starting to burn with black energy, tendrils of shadow flicking out. One stretched towards Mother, who sliced it apart, Janaxia moaning in pain, blood appearing on her own arm.

‘I don’t suppose you’ll need arms to talk, will you?’ Mother rocked on her heels, then charged again, faster than Stathis could follow, blinding afterimages trailing behind her. Janaxia cowered, the shadows flailing about, slamming against the ground, strong enough to knock dents into cobblestones. Mother still charged, cutting through them, the same unsettling calm on her face, coming through completely unscathed.

‘You’ve sealed your fate, child of darkness. Stathis may have always seen the best in people, but I’ve seen your kind and kin before. You deserve nothing but the bitter mercy of the gravepit.’

Despite the torrent of shadows pouring out of Janaxia, Mother was making rapid progress, cutting and slicing through them, getting closer and closer. Another few steps and she would be in range. Stathis tried shouting, to break them apart.

‘It was an accident! She didn’t mean to!’ No-one could hear her, and when she tried to grab at them, her hands simply passed through. Janaxia screamed, a sound of terror and panic, pulling her arms up to protect her hand. Shadows burst out, shrouding them all within a flickering haze of shadow-tendrils.

‘Please! No, I didn’t… I DON’T KNOW!’ The shadows swallowed Janaxia up, before clumps of the stuff lunged at Vrintar and Semari as well and they vanished from sight. Stathis felt burning cold stab into her chest, grunting in pain and falling to her knees, blacking out from the pain.