‘This seems most unfair. What is the meaning of this?!’ Janaxia pushed her hand against the glowing barrier, her palm flattening against it. ‘Am I some criminal, to be confined to quarters?’

‘Well, it’s not like you’ve actually left your room, it must be said.’ Stathis pushed her hand against it from the other side – it was tingling and staticky, although from the way that Janaxia winced when she touched it, it was stinging her whenever she touched it. She looked much the same as normal, currently dressed in her full glory. Her makeup was exquisite, reds and golds fading into each other around her eyes, lips bright and vivid, golden collar catching the light from the barrier, along with her other jewellery. Her emerald eyes flashed with indignation as she pressed her hand against the barrier again.

‘I demand to be let free!’

‘Relax, you’re not a prisoner. We just got worried about the whole “creeping darkness” thing, and didn’t want to scare the hell out of the crew.’ She didn’t want to admit that she had been the one to erect the barrier herself, and hadn’t realised that Janaxia would be unable to cross it. From the look on Janaxia’s face, then that had done nothing to mollify her.

‘We’ll try and remove it. Hey, have you polished your horns? They look a bit darker than before.’ They looked more like obsidian than natural growths now, glossy and razor-edged, the golden chains and medallions wrapped about them doing little to make them seem less dangerous. Janaxia raised a hand and black energy crackled into being. She tossed it at the barrier, which dimmed slightly but didn’t fade.

Stathis went over to the glowing lights and rubbed her hand against them, trying to remove the markings herself. It had no effect, until Pajaran stood in the centre of the effect and briefly incanted a spell. The lights flared and then vanished.

Janaxia swept forward, clothing billowing and imperial, long sleeves trailing behind her, the material edging into smoky shadows. Her form could be seen, somewhere amidst the dark clothing, the occasional flash of skin amidst lace and tulle, long skirts pulling against her legs as she strode forward. She didn’t break stride or even slow, Pajaran stepping aside to let her sweep past.

Feeling like a hanger-on, Stathis followed behind.

‘I take it from the change of motion that we have docked somewhere? Perhaps a change of scenery will be pleasant.’

Stathis hurried to catch up, another crewmember smart enough to hastily jump out of the way as she moved down the narrow hallway. She only slowed for a moment when she emerged onto the deck, her horns catching the light, a bright reflection dazzling Stathis for a moment.

There was an island to their side, a bright blob of green forest and white sand against the azure ocean, a small village sprawled up against the sea. In the middle of the forest was some kind of construction, huge slabs of old stone surrounded by empty and burnt ground.

‘We’re stopping here until the captain can find some more crew.’

‘Oh? Did you somehow loose some? I didn’t notice any storm.’ Janaxia’s tone was still cold.

‘There was a thing. With some elves. Don’t worry, it got sorted, but half the crew stayed behind.’

‘Really? It felt as though we were making good time.’

‘I’m surprised you could tell, given you never left your cabin! But yeah, we were moving fast, Parth managed some magic bullshit. We might be in trouble with the queen of the sea elves. Anyway, we’re probably here for a few days, so we can rest and sleep on dry land for once. Just try not to cause any trouble. Please?’

Janaxia whirled, hair flicking out, red lash throbbing ominously. ‘Oh? And quite what “trouble” are you referring to? Would it be when you briefly died, a crime that was, most unfairly, something that I was hunted down for? Your own sister did try to kill me on several occasions. Which seems very unfair, given that you are very much alive. And to discover that you’ve been deceiving me, through virtually the entirety of our relationship! Well, there is only so much that I can take.’

She didn’t stop moving, sweeping along the deck, only stopping for a moment to conjure up her black disc and using that to descend onto the pier. Stathis grabbed a rope and jumped, swinging out and letting go, just barely managing to make the distance, teetering on the edge of the pier for a moment before regaining her balance.

‘I should have told you before, but there was never a good time! What would you have done? You got all pissed off about me being an Iristari, never mind anything else!’

Janaxia turned to look at her, emerald eyes gleaming, hair fluttering in a chill breeze, horns looking savagely sharp, as Stathis managed to catch up, grabbing hold of her arm. Whatever magical construction she was wearing felt sleek and soft to the touch, Stathis’ hand sliding off. Janaxia narrowed her eyes, the red lash throbbing. There was a flash of darkness, and the warm fabric suddenly vanished from Stathis’ grip.

Up ahead, on what probably passed for the main street, there was a flash of jet-black shadow, Janaxia appearing, form stark and dark against the pale white sand. She gave Stathis another glare, before sweeping away up the street, ignoring the looks from the townsfolk before walking out of sight.

Stathis sighed. That was a problem that didn’t seem likely to be resolved any time soon. How could she apologise to Janaxia? An island this small almost certainly wouldn’t have anywhere that sold fancy jewellery, or fancy anything, most likely. Unless some other adventurers had dumped off some loot here? Well, Janaxia could look after herself well enough she was unlikely to be burned as a witch, and she looked strange enough that most people would hopefully leave her alone. And there probably wouldn’t be anyone here up to her standards – was that a good thing or a bad thing?

She wandered into town herself – it looked as though it was built for, and by, fishermen, without much else, and they looked to be out on the sea at the moment. It was nice to not be on the boat for once, and the sun was pleasant. If only Janaxia was easier to talk to! Did this place at least have somewhere to get a drink?

In what seemed to pass for the town square – several buildings that looked a bit cleaner and sturdier than the rest, a few market stalls in the centre, a few merchants sat behind their goods. It looked like mundane tools and goods – nothing interesting, and certainly nothing that would interest or please Janaxia. But there was an inn, a multi-tentacled form holding up several tankards. Whatever name had been painted onto the sign had cracked and faded into illegibility, but the door was open and she could see a bar inside.

She went in and ordered a drink, a tankard getting filled with something frothy, a thick head of foam atop the beer. She slapped a coin down onto the table. ‘Keep them coming.’ The bar-keep nodded and smiled, then bit the coin.

‘Good as gold, my thanks.’ His shirt was open, well-muscled and tanned, a thick mass of tattoos sprawling over his skin. Unlike the clear and sharp (albeit somewhat mobile) lines of Janaxia’s tattoo, his were less precise, the lines blobbier and vaguer, colours fading together, with various fishes and the like, and a disc centred around one nipple. ‘I’ll see you don’t run dry.’

‘Thanks. Guess you don’t get a lot of passing trade?’

He shook his head and smiled. ‘Don’t worry, we get by. The sea provides.’

Stathis cast her eyes about the room, suddenly suspicious, but the decorations seemed pretty normal, without any obvious evidence of squamous cults or the like, just some very faded and worn trophies, and a stuffed fish with mis-placed eyes, staring at the ceiling and floor simultaneously.

‘Well, thanks.’ She took her drink and went outside, wanting to enjoy the sunshine, and keep an eye out in case Janaxia did something. At least if any screaming started it would be quicker to get moving from here.

It was nice to settle herself onto a bench, the wood heated by the sun, the warmth transferring itself into her. As long as Semari managed to keep from causing any chaos herself! Surely there couldn’t be that much here that could go wrong? Well, there was that ruin up on the hill, but it looked like it was a long enough walk that Janaxia definitely wouldn’t travel there, and they didn’t look elven, so Parth hopefully wouldn’t.

The bench creaked as Vrintar sat down, holding a bottle of some spirits, thick and syrupy-looking, and two glasses. Without waiting for Stathis to say anything, Vrintar poured some of the drink into each of the glasses, before offering one to Stathis.

She sniffed it – almost sickeningly sweet, with some cloying, flowery after-scent she didn’t recognise. ‘Was expecting it to be brewed from fish!’ They knocked their glasses together, then Stathis knocked the stuff back. It exploded onto her throat, stronger than she’d expected, even more flavours running together, the stuff gooey and thick before she managed to swallow it down. ‘Strong stuff! Sorry about all that crap with the sea elves. Parth’s doing her usual elven bullshit. Anyway, it sounds like you helped Janaxia out, so thanks for that. I was expecting you to have gone back home to the mountains by now.’

‘Being transported across most of a continent made that rather complicated. And there is something of a debt of old. At this point, though, it seems worth keeping close to Janaxia; she seems to bear close study.’

‘Are your folks going to be OK? When she’s less exhausted, Hakara might be able to send a message or something.’

‘They are used to me travelling about. Admittedly, not normally for this long, but I will return when able. And have a few gifts for them; that should keep them quiet. I lead in war but am quite happy to let them the rest of the time. But I am concerned about Janaxia. She is growing rather more eccentric, is she not?’

‘That’s more restrained than how I would describe it! Yeah, I don’t know what’s going on with her. She’s not exploding into dust in the sunlight, which is probably a good thing. I don’t suppose you have any old legends about it that might be helpful?’

They both took another drink, Stathis following it with some of the beer. It was thin and rancid stuff, especially compared to the thick flavours of whatever the spirit was.

‘Oh? I thought you didn’t believe in such things.’

‘It’s not so much “don’t believe”, more that such things always seem so vague and useless. Most of the time it seems easier just to ignore them! But I’m worried that Janaxia’s going to do something bad, probably without realising. And I’m trying to apologise but it’s hard. And yes, I know I fucked up, but it’s hard to have a proper moment on a boat. Especially when she’s holed up in her room all the time! Although I didn’t realise my spell would seal her in. This is much better than the beer. So, yeah. Need to do something big otherwise she’s going to ignore me.’ She was starting to feel a bit fuzzy, glad of the sunlight.

‘Yes, she is something of an imperial presence, isn’t she? Despite her… problems. Given her family background, it’s scarcely a surprise she’s ended up the way she has. Although she is better than Kivata. What a wretched little thing she is.’

‘She’s been through a lot, I suspect. I imagine she got mistreated heavily. From what little Janaxia has said about growing up, I don’t think it was a happy childhood. And her mother is apparently pretty bad as well. Did you see her at all?’

Vrintar shuddered. ‘Only once. But the power around her was almost palpable, cold and dark. And from her deeds, I would judge her to be crueller and more vicious than Janaxia as well.’

‘That sounds about right. Janaxia’s creepy sometimes, but she’s too idle to be actively malicious. Just a pain in the ass sometimes!’

‘Her family being at war with your own could prove problematic though. Your sister and mother both have a not entirely undeserved desire to cause her harm, and likely believe you to be under her sorcerous command. It could prove rather violent were a confrontation to be forced. And, while I must admit to a certain curiosity as to how events will proceed, it seems likely that such a thing would be more safely viewed from a long distance away. Especially if Carissia is involved – she is rather fearsome in battle.’

‘Yeah, and far too enthusiastic about blowing shit up! I hope Hakara’s spell holds, as if she catches up with us we’re all in a lot of shit.’

‘There seems to be an awful lot that can go wrong.’

‘I know! If you want dropping off somewhere, let me know – you definitely didn’t sign up for this. If there’s some blood-debt or something you think you owe Janaxia, it’s probably fair to say that’s paid off now, you’ve saved her life a load of times. And mine, I think!’ The booze was settling in now, warm and stinging inside her belly, making her want to doze in the sunshine. Well, they were stuck here until the captain could get enough crew together, so why not take a break?

‘I thank you for the offer, but think I will stay. It is, if nothing else, interesting to see where events go. You certainly do seem to be at the centre of events.’ Although Vrintar was matching her, drink for drink, she seemed entirely unphased, sipping down another shot.

‘Well, thanks. This whole thing has gotten a bit out of hand! Although at least you don’t seem likely to go and steal an elven horn or anything. I really wish Parth would tell me about these things!’

‘Yes, that did seem rather injudicious. I hope they will not seek us out.’

‘Parth says it’s OK? She is a queen, so I hope that makes it all right? She doesn’t really talk much.’ Stathis had to resist a yawn, raising a hand to her mouth. It felt far too nice in the sunlight, warm and relaxing, but Vrintar was looking at her with concern, gently touching her on the shoulder.

‘You appear rather pale. I have heard of sea-sickness – is this the reverse, from being on a ship for too long?’

‘I just feel tired.’ She yawned, unable to control it. The air seemed warm and bright, as Vrintar’s eyes glanced down. Stathis looked at her sword-hilt, the thing glowing with a soft haze. A thin trail of light could be seen, like a thread of spider-silk that occasionally caught the light, looking thin and vulnerable.

‘Is this perhaps the furthest you have been from Janaxia since your summoning?’

Stathis managed to push herself up the wall, vision spinning for a moment. ‘Shit. Yes.’ She took a staggering step forward, from both tiredness and alcohol, Vrintar supporting her with an iron-like arm. ‘How far can she have gone! The place isn’t that large.’

She squinted, trying to pick out the thread, just barely able to see the glowing line against the sunny light. It seemed to be tethered in her chest and was immaterial when she carefully waved a hand through it.

They moved through the town, the few inhabitants they saw mostly ignoring them as they went about their own business, until they came to the edge of the forest, the stone and sand underfoot giving way to thicker soil, dark beneath a canopy of leaves, the heavy scent of flowers and growth in the air. She was feeling more awake now, not needing Vrintar’s support any more.

‘Gods, what the hell was she thinking? I was expecting her to get a room at the inn and go sulk and drink there.’

In the forest, visibility was limited, the foliage dense enough that Stathis couldn’t see more than a few feet. She drew her sword, just in case, Vrintar readying her axes as they progressed.