Zarazonnia’s combat skills were impressive, using two of her blades to protect herself, the other four slicing and cutting, her long limbs and snake body giving her an intimidating range, snapping forward and back to suddenly attack, or move out of range of any counters. Even those with spears didn’t have the range to land effective blows, or she would sunder the wooden shafts. Those few that got too close, she slapped away with her serpentine body, using her bulk to slam attackers away.

An attacker screamed as Zarazonnia ran them through, blade puncturing deep into their chest, coming out dark with blood. She flicked it clean, before parrying an arrow from the air.

‘Still with me, Janaxia?’

Janaxia didn’t respond, swinging her sword and hitting a zombie, which tried to retreat, exploding with a dull boom of green-tinged fire, the body smoking as it hit the ground with a splat. Stathis blocked another magical dart. As a group formed up and charged at Zarazonnia, she sheathed one of her swords and cast a spell, a ball of fire streaking out and exploding amongst them, sending bodies flying. Zarazonnia lunged against, blades dancing and slicing through another attacker.

She laughed, proud and confident, spinning her blades into a defensive position. ‘Ah, nothing like a good blood-letting to clear the head! Far too many meetings kills the soul.’ Her red hair streamed free, snapping in a sudden breeze. ‘I’m glad you saw the right side of things, Janaxia, rather than joining with your mother.’

She twisted again, spinning to instantly turn the other way, two blades penetrating into the chest of attacker. Their body warped and shifted, limbs fumbling towards Zarazonnia, unable to reach as they were lifted up, black blood running down the blades. Another sword hovered against their throat.

‘I wonder how many of your ilk that woman has scattered here? Well, it will be a fun little game to seek them all out. And discover quite how much punishment your bodies can take.’ She stabbed with her blade, cutting their throat then stabbing forward, shattering the skull and twisting the blade, exposed brains freezing solid before falling to the ground and shattering. ‘That will probably suffice.’ Just to be sure, her tail slammed down onto the frozen lump, hard enough to shake the ground.

Zarazonnia pulled her swords apart, cutting the body in two. A thin stream of black dust streamed out as the body disintegrated, flowing towards Janaxia. Zarazonnia’s followers seemed to have the upper hand, giving an uncoordinated cheer as Zarazonnia moved her swords through an elaborate flurry, metal flashing brightly, four blades getting sheathed.

Stathis dropped back to stay close to Janaxia, snapping her fingers in front of the woman’s face. ‘I think we’ve won.’

Zarazonnia spoke from above them. ‘Yes, time to return to the palace. Hopefully my allies should have finished securing everything required.’ Her torso swooped down, a hand grabbing at each of their shoulders. Space warped and refracted as they were transported again, a momentary burst of darkness swelling then fading, at least with the sensation of air and distant sparks of light now, rather than an utter nothingness.

When they re-appeared, they were back in the palace, fully-armoured guards (at least by local standards) at the door, saluting at Zarazonnia. Stathis looked at the guards again – all of them looked as though they’d been in fights, armour dented and battered, a few of them clearly injured.

‘All targets were found, Queen Zarazonnia. We have attempted to enter into the mage’s chambers but they are magically warded. After the first squad went in, we heard their screaming, so sealed the doors.’

‘Very good. As long as nothing can get out, that’s good enough for now. If we have to, then we can simply burn the place down. A coup is rarely neat and tidy – time to make some public examples first.’ The over-sized torso twisted around to bob close to Janaxia. ‘Thank you for your aid. I am glad to see that your loyalty to your Mother was negotiable. I have had your servants protected so that they are unharmed as well.’

Janaxia didn’t respond until Stathis prodded her from behind. Her voice sounded dull and distant, her stance slumped. ‘My thanks, Queen Zarazonnia. If I may be excused? It has been something of a trying day.’

‘Best you stay here – loyalties will remain uncertain for a little while, until my power has been firmly established, at which point everyone will agree that they had always been fully loyal all along, I’m sure. I need to go and be seen though, to make sure no-one gets any ideas. I’m sure your warrior will protect you though.’

‘Indeed.’

Zarazonnia slithered away, gesturing at the guards to follow her, one having to run ahead to get to the door in time and open it for her. Outside, Stathis caught a glimpse of the ornate decorations rent and torn asunder, the rugs sliced up or burned.

As soon as the door shut behind Zarazonnia, Janaxia wilted, Stathis having to catch her before she collapsed to the ground. She dragged her over to a couch and pulled her onto it – her tattoo was moving strangely, the darkness flickering in and out of existence. Janaxia’s hair-lash had faded to virtual invisibility, nothing more than the faintest touch of red amongst the black.

Tears trickled down her face as she slumped onto the couch, no sign of her usual poise, wrapping her arms around her knees.

‘I’m sorry, Janaxia. But she was too injured. I can cure light wounds, but nothing like that. And the way she died wasn’t something that looked like it could really be cured.’ She moved closer, sitting down next to Janaxia. ‘I’d be more worried that your mother might have absorbed her soul or something. I’ve no idea what the hell was going on there.’

When she moved closer to Janaxia, they shuffled away, maintaining their distance, still bundled up and closed off.

‘Is that something we should worry about? Facing the ghost of Skotadi would be traumatic. She might have been a bit strange, but not many people deserve anything like that.’

Janaxia murmured something, so quiet Stathis couldn’t tell if she was speaking physically or telepathically. ‘I don’t know.’

‘I guess she must have been right about being part of an ancient bloodline or something. She might even have been related to people from around here, that would explain her horns and, well… everything, really.’ She reached out to scritch at Janaxia’s horns, but Janaxia moved her head away.

She’s gone now, isn’t she? Truly and forever…

‘Well, most resurrection spells need part of the body, and she melted away. I’ve not seen magic that can do that before!’

Janaxia shivered again, her clothing rippling, hair-lash flickering strangely.

‘I’m sorry, Janaxia. There was nothing that I could do – and the same for you as well. Sometimes that’s just how things go. We’ll remember her, and make sure that your Mother hasn’t trapped her soul.’

Janaxia looked up, lock bursting with a fitful red light. Her voice echoed strangely, the sound echoing somehow, not fading as it should do. ‘She sacrificed herself for me! I will not let her pass this way.’ Her clothing rippled despite the lack of any wind, leather gauntlets appearing for a moment over her hands. A dry, dusty sound came from her – Stathis looked down, seeing the book on her waist steam slightly, a trail of ashen dust falling out, staining the cushions.

‘Uh, Janaxia?’

‘I shall wreck vengeance and destruction upon her! For taking away Skotadi, then I will ensure Poratia’s death is slow and painful.’

The sand was starting to settle between the cushions, glinting like obsidian where there was sunlight.

‘She shall die by inches, her soul as meat!’ Janaxia’s nails extended, blood-red talons emerging from her fingers.

‘JANAXIA!’ Stathis yelled, bringing Janaxia’s tirade to a sudden halt. ‘What’s going on with your book?’

When Janaxia looked down and touched it, the cover sagged noticeably, hissing as more black and gritty grains slid out, forming into heaps, sharp enough to cut through the fabric of the cushions, padding bursting out. She unclipped it from her belt and tapped the lock, the thing springing open. The pages were melting away, the parchment fading into black sand and spilling out.

As Janaxia flipped through the pages, the effect intensified, more dust spilling forth in a constant stream. Stathis reached out and touched it herself, summoning up a mote of light. It sprang into existence, just for a second, before blinking out again. Where it had touched the pages, the material remained for a moment, parchment turning grey before fading into black powder. Stathis pushed her palm against it, feeling a coldness through her gauntlet, a force trying to suck at her essence before she pulled herself away.

‘It needs magic! Can you feed it?’ Whatever happened if it ran out of power was not something Stathis really wanted to find out.

Janaxia put her own hand against it, her skin turning pale as though it had been exposed to a sudden chill. Dark energy crackled between her fingertips, shooting straight into the book, then vanishing without a trace. She gestured with her other hand, fingers warping impossibly, blackness flashing out and blinding Stathis for a moment then vanishing, the book draining all the power somehow.

It seemed to be doing something, the hissing sound of the dust slowing, although there was still a quite large heap of the stuff on the couch and the floor. One of the gems fell out, fading away into nothingness without hitting the ground.

Stathis looked at Janaxia – her skin had paled, and she looked tired and drawn, but didn’t seem to be weakened obviously by this process. Her nails were still extended talons, a shiny cuirass of leather covering her torso.

‘Any idea what that means?’ She tried to look at the text on the page, but the lines of writing left still made her eyes water until she looked away. ‘It’s never done that before.’

A sign of my new-found resolve, perhaps? Janaxia didn’t sound entirely convinced, as she continued to cast spells into the book, the hissing sand slowing down. She flicked her eyes over the pages, at least the parts left. The material does seem rather bloodthirsty.

‘Let me know if you start getting any urges towards murder and the like. You’ve been through a lot, and Skotadi didn’t deserve that.’

‘Do not worry yourself, there shall be plenty of chance for that. Although I think I am more suited to a position at the rear. I’m sure Zarazonnia will position me appropriately once we see the field.’

‘The field? I know she’s taking over this place, but there’s no damn room for field battles. City fighting is brutal, close-quarters stuff, where anyone can be dangerous.’

‘Oh, I mean when we return. I imagine it won’t take her long to whip them into some form of order. Apparently she’s managed to arrange transport somehow – a quick, surprise attack, and then begin the conquest from there.’

‘Conquest?’

‘Zarazonnia plans on establishing a Sethan empire. Or possibly a queendom? I don’t think she has given much thought as to names just yet. And it has been some time since she has been able to test her skills.’

‘How long have you known about this? And when were you planning on telling me?’

The disintegration of the book was starting to slow now, soaking in Janaxia’s power, the text starting to tinge red amongst the stark black characters.

‘Well, I wouldn’t want to face off against Poratia without potent allies. Now that Zarazonnia is firmly on my side, then that should be sufficient resources, I feel. And to deal with my siblings as well.’

‘Is there anything else you’re not telling me?’ Janaxia looked away, forelock guttering as Stathis stepped towards her, tapping her on the forehead. Her vision blurred as she pulled out the last reserves of her strength, golden light blinking into existence around Janaxia, burning from her brow. ‘What else aren’t you telling me?’

Janaxia’s eyes lightened, dots of light appearing in the darkness. She moved forward, trying to push past Stathis, who simply squared her shoulders to block the way.

‘What aren’t you telling me?’

‘This seems most underhanded! And scarcely the way that a knight should behave!’

‘You’ve agreed to help a demon attack and conquer the world! Without telling me! So I think that you need to let me know what else you haven’t told me.’ Janaxia tried barging past her, bumping against Stathis’ shoulder without making any impact, before Stathis pushed against her shoulder, pushing her to sit down on the couch, then staring down at her. ‘Well?’

‘I may have somewhat obfuscated my true goals. Zarazonnia was aiding me against Poratia, helping to ensure that my will was my own. In exchange, she lent her aid during the final confrontation. Although sadly was unable to deliver the final blow, and I daresay Poratia is even now raising forces of her own, calling on ancient pacts and artefacts.’

‘So you were always planning on betraying her? So what’s with the conquering and conquest?’

‘Zarazonnia thinks that matters would be rather better under her own rule. And seems to have a certain amount of power, that might make it possible.’

‘And does anyone else get a say in being ruled over by a massive six-armed, half-snake woman? Who’s probably immortal, so won’t even die off after a few decades. Where’s she attacking first?’

‘I haven’t been following the precise details. I’m given to understand she has managed to arrange transportation of some kind, I think to make a beachhead so that the rest of the forces can then follow up. Such details are scarcely my concern though.’

‘If it was just your family, then it might make sense, but this is full-scale war. Could you not just have talked to me? If we try and leave now, then Zarazonnia is going to have us hunted down as traitors. Are you sure she hasn’t done anything else to you? You do have a bad history with anything that can use any kind of charm spells.’

‘I am sure I am entirely unaffected by any mentally affecting spells.’ Her eyes gleamed golden, showing she was telling the truth, at least as far as she knew. ‘And Zarazonnia, at least, never felt the need to subject me to such things as this. Given your own history, do you not find it rather shameful to behave in such a way? Or, at the least, rather hypocritical?’

‘I’m not apologising again! And I don’t want to be doing this, but did you never think to tell me? We could have tried to get out some other way. Now we’re stuck here. Have you given any thought as to how the hell we’re going to get out?’

‘I’m sure something can be managed. But there scarcely seems much of a reason to do so. Zarazonnia has her own honour, and has yet to elide anything from my attention.’

‘Yeah, she just wants to conquer the world! So what’s going to happen now? Zarazonnia’s going to finish off her coup, and probably win, because she’s good at this stuff and is a massive half-snake demon woman that’s quite hard to kill with a knife between the ribs, then she’s going to transport an army to somewhere? Fuck, we need to get a message to someone. Especially if Zarazonnia is going to try and summon any allies or anything as well!’

‘That seems a little… dishonourable, does it not?’

‘No! Not if it stops a war happening! How on earth did this seem any kind of good idea? I get that you hate your mother, especially now, but this seems a bit extreme, doesn’t it?’

Considering that Zarazonnia was unable to defeat her, it seems that it wasn’t enough. But perhaps an army will suffice? It is annoying that she is so potent, otherwise such measures would not be necessary. And I am desirous of vengeance, which this certainly should achieve.

‘And you’re certain that she can’t do anything to you at range?’

I believe myself to be potent enough to repel any attacks she may make, and Zarazonnia has lent me an amulet of warding. Which, as you appear to be somewhat paranoid, I have had independently checked to ensure that it is entirely correct and proper. But I do expect to be rather busy, and may not have so much time as to spend it with you.

Stathis shook her head. ‘I’m sticking close to you. Both in case anyone does attack you, and so that I’m not finding out stuff like this after the fact!’

Janaxia tried glaring at her, but flinched away when Stathis glared back.

‘Or if anyone attacks me because of you, I want you around to help out and defend me.’

I suppose that makes a certain level of strategic sense. But I think… Her mental voice stuttered for a moment before resuming. I think I need to rest first, and remember Skotadi. She was taken far too young.

‘That, at least, we agree on. But then we need to talk about what the hell we’re doing next. I’m not leaving you to become the wizard to a demon-queen!’

I suppose I shall take that as a compliment? Some colour was starting to come back to her cheeks, although she still looked wan and weak compared to normal. ‘I suppose Sen will need informing to pack as well. It would scarcely do to be travelling without a servant.’

‘You’re dragging her along as well? As long as you look after her. And remember, you don’t own her, no matter what she says!’

I would have thought you more open to local customs. Although I take your point. Janaxia managed to summon up the courage to move past Stathis, who let her, as she went to the door and carefully opened it, looking both ways. ‘It seems safe enough here? Perhaps we should reconnoitre the path to my apartments, and then secure those so that I may rest?’

Stathis sighed and drew her blade, moving past Janaxia and into the hallway outside. At least the apartment would be easier to defend!