They walked towards the coach house, the woman maintaining a distance an appropriately deferential few steps behind. That was a good sign – she clearly knew her place. She had the makings of a good follower, as long as she retained that obedience.

A shout came from above. ‘Not dead yet?’ Semari jumped down from the roof, looking at Janaxia’s injuries, although at least she didn’t poke the wounds. ‘Looks like it was a bit rough. So, you, like a real wizard now?’

‘Kindly do not cast such aspersions upon my arcane prowess. It has, after all, kept you alive on multiple occasions.’

Semari ignored her, noticing Sen. ‘Hey, who’s this? Have you done creepy stuff to her?’

Sen curtseyed again, but didn’t answer, glancing at Janaxia then keeping her eyes downcast, the image of dedicated servitude.

‘I rescued her.’

Semari looked doubtful. ‘Really? Sure you’re not going to fatten her up and sacrifice her later? Although I can’t see her staying a virgin for long with you around.’

Janaxia flicked a bolt at Semari which she evaded, stepping forward and slugging Janaxia in the gut. As she folded at the waist, Semari’s arms came up, binding her into a headlock. ‘Still a horny lady!’ Janaxia was pulled around, fruitlessly trying to pull out of Semari’s grip, ‘See, these things are real.’ A hand pulled on a horn, wrenching Janaxia’s neck painfully.

Sen threw herself against the ground, genuflecting and abasing herself. ‘My apologies, Karhacki, Blessed One! I did not know, please forgive me!’

Janaxia took advantage of Semari’s momentary distraction to pull free and blast her, a bolt knocking her away and smashing her against the building. Sen cowered further, looking like she was trying to dig a hole in the floor as she pushed her forehead against it, staining her skin with dirt.

‘Stand.’

Sen promptly obeyed and rose to her feet, although her eyes were still downcast. As Semari readied herself for another attack, Janaxia knocked her away with more bolts, until she was at a safe distance.

‘Karhacki? I am not familiar with the term, but it sounds like High Ashalian?’ She approached, carefully placing a hand on the woman’s shoulder, noting her flinch. ‘Not a term I expected to hear. You are from Setha-in-the-Ash then?’

‘Yes, Blessed One.’ She tentatively reached out, touching one of Janaxia’s horns, gently running a nail along the ridges with a faint bzzzzt sound. ‘You are of most exalted blood, Blessed One. How did you fetch up in a place such as this?’ She shuddered.

‘Well, I concur that it isn’t the most charming of residences, but it is most certainly not the worst.’ She looked at Sen with more interest – that would explain the clothing, the odd sheen to her skin, the fangs and a few barely visible patches of scales, if she bore the blood of that land, and the demon-kin who ruled there. ‘Were you perhaps a handmaiden in your homeland? How did you come to be here?’

Sen grimaced. ‘That is a long story, Blessed One, and a thing I would not burden you with. But to find one of such exaltation in these lands!’

Janaxia suddenly fell over as Semari took the chance to attack again, sweeping her legs out from beneath her. Sen tried to intervene and grabbed Semari, who was easily strong enough to ignore her. ‘You mustn’t harm the Blessed One, or great curses will fall upon you!’

Semari looked at Sen strangely, not relenting from trying to bend Janaxia into an uncomfortable shape, her body protesting at the enforced contortionism.

‘If she was gonna curse me, she would have already.’

Janaxia managed to shoot a bolt out, missing Semari entirely but knocking a hole through a wooden wall. ‘Would you get off me, you wretched creature!’ She wriggled around, trying to break free, as Sen dithered and fretted.

‘Just ‘cos she’s got these things, she’s not that special! She just, like, ate a demon or something, not that special. I’m part-god or something, how come no-one thinks I’m special?’

Janaxia was having to pant now, Semari’s grapple forcing the air from her lungs. ‘That is… because you are… a loathsome oaf!’ More bolts blasted out, none anywhere near to their target. ‘Now release… me or I… will have to unleash… more power!’

Semari wrenched on a limb again, seemingly just for fun, before letting her go. Janaxia fell to the ground, slowly regaining her breath as Semari moved to inspect Sen more closely. Janaxia slowly picked herself up off the ground, cleaning herself off and trying to restore her dignity, waiting until she had regained her breath before speaking.

‘It is always a pleasure to have one’s majesty acknowledged. Now, it seems you are seeking employment, and have skills that would be of use to me. Assuming, of course, that your demeanour is of your own making?’

She nodded, managing to ignore Semari’s poking.

‘Excellent. You will doubtless be superior to a thing of bone and magic; if nothing else, you will be warmer. Semari, stop harassing her.’ This command was ignored, as Semari pinched a patch of scaly flesh. The way it blended with the more normal skin was intriguing, an effect almost like patterned tattoos, patterns of red and blue atop her skin. ‘This settlement, unfortunately, is rather limited in the fashion on offer, but we can make do. You have a nice physique, it would be good to display it to best advantage.’

Janaxia tried to brush Semari away but lacked the strength to do so, especially with her wounds. Semari leaned in close to Sen, faux-whispering. ‘Watch out for this one, she looks… well, not that innocent, but she eats souls or something! She’s all eldritch and stuff, she’ll gobble you up.’ She made exaggerated eating sounds, along with some wholly unnecessary growling.

‘If you would kindly desist from casting aspersions on my name. Now, this is Semari, a… colleague I am forced to work with. She has a certain martial vigour but is otherwise woefully lacking in virtually every other respect; it is generally best if she is ignored. And Vrintar should be somewhere close by as well – she is an outlander and has rather more dignity, and certainly presents herself better, albeit in a rather ragged fashion. Now, should you be amenable, then you may lodge here – it will be easier than finding space for you in the house proper. If any of the gentleman of the guard should give you unwanted attention or any kind of trouble, do please let me know, and I will resolve the situation, forcefully if needed. Unless you would prefer the satisfaction yourself?’ Those fangs of hers certainly looked sharp; perhaps she was poisonous, although that seemed rather personal to ask. While it was improper to dally with a servant, then perhaps she could be enticed into taking a few nibbles?

Sen smiled, seeming more confident, standing a little straighter. ‘Thank you, Blessed One! You honour me. In this place of darkness, I am thankful for your protection.’

They both ignored Semari’s capering. ‘Now, you have had a trying day. I would urge you to rest, while I talk to Semari. And Vrintar; Semari, do you know where she is?’

‘She said she wanted to look around.’

‘That may have been… ill-advised. It would be unfortunate if she were to stumble across a warded area or aggressive guardian. We should seek her out before any problems occur.’ She turned back to Sen. ‘Now, please go and recuperate, and I will call for you when I have need. Semari, let us seek out Vrintar.’

Semari immediately jumped upwards, pulling herself onto the roof of the couch house. Janaxia stood back as a tile was dislodged, shattering on the floor by her feet. From Semari’s elevation, she probably had clear sight all over the estate, and even further, pointing towards the rear of the manor. Then she took a running jump, vaulting over to the top of an ivy-entombed statue, before catapulting herself over to the main house. Some warding spell discharged itself, daggers of ice exploding outwards, Semari managing to evade them without having to drop.

Janaxia followed along on the ground, trying to ignore the tinkling, crashing sounds of ice coming from above as the spell continued to assault Semari.

The gardens at the back of the manor were more of an unkempt, tangled mess than the rest, even the grass coming to waist- or shoulder-height. The ornamental maze had been virtually solid when Janaxia was a child, now it was little more than a single massive hedge, the only marker the central stone pylon, still standing above the encroaching greenery. The orangery was a mess of warped black iron, some probably-failed experiment of Ophexia’s having tainted the glass, such that the panes showed shattered nightmare landscapes, and making it quite impossible to secure the fruits still growing there.

Vrintar was easy to find, stood by what had been intended to be a boating lake, before the inevitable practicalities of being surrounded by marshland had ensured it became an extension of the marsh. She was leaning over the water, an axe in hand, clearly waiting. There was a silvery flash then a splashing sound, as something lunged from the water, Vrintar’s attack cleaving through it. Blood splattered across the still water, red droplets quickly fading into the murk as she grabbed something from the air – a long, silvery thing, body still twitching, even as the head sank from view.

‘Silverlash. Rare to see them grow this large, good eating.’

As she approached, Janaxia could see that the fish was at least two feet long, a fat and silvery tube with several sharp-looking fins down its flanks. As it flapped and flopped around in Vrintar’s grasp, one fin brushed against Vrintar’s top, slicing the fabric.

‘Yes, I would imagine the lack of predators enables them to grow quite large. I would advise caution though – there are various areas in the grounds that can be quite dangerous, and my siblings may well take exception should they find you. It may be safest if you were to refrain from exploring the grounds on your own?’

Janaxia winced as a cold, wailing moan sounded through the air, some magical ritual or experiment being performed, a soul being bound into servitude. Vrintar winced, as the fish flailed its last, body going still.

‘Yes, this place seems… unpleasant. Without wishing to cause offence, Janaxia.’

‘It could certainly do with a certain amount of tidying up.’ Janaxia stepped to the side as Semari jumped from the rooftop, trying to grab her again. It was tempting to attack with a bolt and try and knock her into the water, but from the way it was churning and frothing around the fallen fish head, half-seen silvery streaks darting through the water, that would be rather painful, even for one of Semari’s hardy constitution. ‘I trust the guards have been treating you well?’

‘Oh yeah, they’re pretty cool. Seem a bit scared of your family though.’ Semari leaned over the water, looking at the churning mass.

‘You may wish to win less often when gambling with them, at least if you want them to keep betting, Semari’, said Vrintar.

‘Yes, do try to avoid causing any offence or friction, if you please.’ Janaxia looked out across the lake – there was a gazebo on the far side, although the roof had never been repaired after some fire, half the thing an ashen ruin. ‘I have managed to pass my first trial and also hired a retainer. Vrintar, if you would be so good, do please look after her, and prevent Semari bullying her excessively.’

‘She’s, like, part-devil or something! But a far smaller part than this one.’ Semari tried to grab Janaxia again, lunging for her horns, Janaxia dodging while trying to avoid slipping on the ground, not wanting to fall into the water.

‘She is Sethan, I believe. Those of that land often have peculiar parentage – their ancestors did indeed mingle with deviltry and suchlike, and they measure fitness for rule by the strength of one’s diabolic blood. I suppose by that standard, I may appear as one most suited for high station, as is only natural with my pedigree and aptitude.’ She sighed, then continued. ‘For my next trial, I am allowed an ally. I do not know the details, but it is likely to be a combat of some kind. Semari, would… would you be willing to accompany me? Your own unusual fighting style will likely service as something of a surprise.’

‘What’s in it for me?’

‘I’m sure I can find some tokens of appreciation. You really are a remarkably hard person to find such things for though – I’m sure there is some appropriately spoiled wine for you? Or maybe some clothing that is less… wretched and ragged?’

‘Oooo, good idea! I bet you’ve got loads of stuff in black! Yeah, find me some nice clothing, that’ll do. And some booze. Hey, Vrintar, you want anything? I reckon Janaxia’s desperate, could probably hold out for more.’

Vrintar tapped her chin. ‘Food would be appreciated. I’m sure there must be some magical trinkets of use. An amulet of protection, perhaps?’

‘You would bargain? This is nothing less than robbery!’

Semari snickered. ‘Hey, you want me, you gotta pay! Kethys taught me that much. And we’re not really a company anymore, are we? So I want decent stuff! I can’t just give gold to Parth, she’s not around.’

A chill wind blew off the lake as the churning stopped. ‘Yes, I suppose that is true. I suppose I am your patron now, and should provide for you appropriately, and for Sen as well. Very well, I am sure I can find some trinkets of use to you both, and some clothing that is less ragged. I would ask if the guards are proving troublesome at all, but I rather expect that you would be troubling them instead.’

‘They’re pretty chill. Although your mother’s pretty stingy, apparently. She should pay ‘em more, helps to keep ‘em loyal.’

‘Well, that is their own concern. Nevertheless, do try not to harass them overmuch. I would also strongly discourage further exploration; there are many dangers. Also, I would prefer it if you would avoid my siblings. They can be… troublesome to deal with, and unlikely to mean you well.’

‘Creepy necromancer family might not be friendly? Wow, shocker!’

‘There is no call for sarcasm. But kindly do be cautious. It would be most inconvenient if you were to be slain and your bodies used as raw material for one of Trakatha’s creations. She would probably wish to get her scalpels into you, Vrintar. Apparently stronger bodies are easier to work with and create better zombies.’

Semari nodded. ‘Makes sense, I guess. Otherwise you’ve gotta, like, smush several bodies together. Fine, we’ll stay away from your creepy family, until you give the order to burn this place down.’

‘Semari! This is my ancestral home! Or one of them, at least. And, while it is not the nicest place, I would rather it be left un-burnt.’

‘Sure, whatever. Place is probably too soggy to burn anyway. But when there’s undead everywhere, and someone’s trying to eat your soul, then don’t blame me.’

‘That seems highly improbable.’ If nothing else, her family would be more likely to just kill her, rather than bother with anything as complex as stealing her soul. ‘Now, unless there is anything else, then I must meditate and regain my powers before my next trial.’

‘You mean have a nap, right?’

‘It may look that way to an unenlightened observer, but I am meditating upon my innermost being, to restore what power I can.’

‘Sure, sure. Just find us some nice stuff. And we’ll look after Sen. She seems nice, for someone that’s bitey and a bit scaley.’

‘See that you do.’

They parted ways, Janaxia returning to her chambers, quickly falling into a slumber. Darkness fell upon her, soothing and calming, her expanded essence returning to her, powers refreshing.