Kivata moved around the edges of the room, mumbling spells, spheres of enchanted light springing into being behind her. The blue glow did something to help banish back the darkness, making it possible to see inside the room for once.

‘Is Hakara coming?’

Kivata looked startled, trying to hunch her shoulders and fade into the darkness before answering, her eyes downcast. ‘Yes, Lady Stathis. She is attempting to collect everything that is known so far.’

Stathis resisted the urge to groan, hoping that Hakara’s sheaf of notes wouldn’t be too thick. Or her explanations so complicated they caused a headache again!

‘Are you doing OK? Not being worked too hard by Hakara? You two seem to be up late a lot. And please don’t try and explain what you’re doing, it’ll just confuse me more.’

‘Oh yes! She is a kindly teacher, and very patient with me.’

‘Good. It’s nice you’re getting along. I think she appreciates having an assistant as well. And don’t let Janaxia bully you.’

‘She mostly keeps to herself. But thank you.’ She kept moving around, lighting more of the glowing crystals – cumulatively, they made the room well-lit, but shed only light, without any heat. Any relief from the omnipresent darkness was a relief though!

The rafters creaked, Stathis looking up. ‘Semari, get down here. And use the door like an ordinary person!’

Semari dropped down from above, landing lightly next to Stathis. ‘More fun coming through windows. And I’m finding, like, gaps in the defences!’

‘If someone gets this far, then we’re in deep shit. None of this place is built to defend against more than wild animal attacks.’

‘Yeah, we need one of those nice beefy castles, big proper walls. What they’ve got here would barely keep, like, some angry wolves out. Not bitey vampires! And Janaxia might have her neck full of snakes already.’

‘Don’t say anything to piss her off. Please?’

‘Yeah, yeah. Although I do wanna hear how you’re going to get us out of this. And shouldn’t you be, y’know, trying to do more? Not stuck out in the ass-end of nowhere with a bunch of nobodies? We’re sure as hell not getting paid much for this, are we?’

‘Once we’ve got this dealt with, then we can see about leaving.’

Pajaran walked in, her armour making it impossible to move with any degree of quietness. ‘Council of war, then? Although you’re a bit stuffed for troops. This lot can’t even provide decent covering fire, they’re not used to fighting anything that can’t be eaten. Although the medusa’s lot are a bit rougher. Guess they were on the bad side of the mountain or something? They seem to know how to fight a bit, although they’re not really disciplined. Seem quite worried about her though.’

‘Loyal followers? The other one we met seemed similar. Maybe they’re actually good leaders or something? Although I guess they can’t really go out much, so have a lot of time to plan things and study, maybe? Anyway, when Vrintar, Parth and Janaxia get here, we’ll start. Kivata, could you fetch Hakara, if she’s not fallen asleep into her notes again?’

It didn’t take long for the others to arrive, Hakara rubbing sleep from her eyes, Janaxia the last to walk in. She’d changed her outfit – her skirt was fuller, several ruffled layers, although still with a thigh-slit, and all in shades of black, her bodice set with dark gems. Chains were wound about her horns, bright silver, rubies flashing with reflections of the blue gem-light. At least she wasn’t veiled, but her face was held in an expression of forcible serenity, her arms crossed over her chest, nails pressing into draped fabric.

‘Thanks for coming. And for looking after the medusa.’

Ophalissia. She is recovering well. And concerned about her followers.

Stathis looked at Janaxia – she was wearing the golden choker, but her outfit otherwise left her neck bare. There weren’t any visible puncture marks – although her dress did cover her quite well, so maybe they were elsewhere? Or the medusa was still recovering from her injuries?

‘That’s good. We’re going to need all the fighters we can get.’

I have left Sen to look after her, with suitable precautions, of course. There is a certain kinship between them, I think.

‘I guess they’re both kinda snake-y, yeah?’ From the looks everyone else was giving her, Stathis realised that Janaxia must have been mentally talking to only her. ‘If you could talk so that everyone could hear, please? There’s a lot going on and it’ll be easier if we can all hear each other.’

Janaxia sighed. ‘If you insist.’ She moved close to a wall, summoning up her disc, the darkness shaping itself into a throne.

‘Thanks. Ah, there you are, Hakara. And Brina. That’s good, that’s everyone.’ It actually made the room quite crowded, although Janaxia’s throbbing shadows took up more space than she really needed. ‘Hakara, I’m guessing there’s still no way to rapidly get us out of here?’

‘Ethereal passageways are still highly dangerous, yes. Even anything short-distance risks being pulled off target, along with a significant risk of death.’

‘Figures. What about messages?’

‘Harder than I expected. Everything is rather garbled, so it is rather hard to tell if a complete message has been received, and I don’t know if anyone has been getting what I have been sending out. I hope there haven’t been too many casualties from people attempting teleportation themselves.’

‘And you think the range will be large?’

‘Very. Most of the continent, at the least.’

‘That means everyone else is going to be operating on their own. No magical communications means just banners or fires. And no reinforcements without marching them around. But it’s going to be affecting everyone, which means that it’s going to be a mess for, well, everyone. Lots of tiny fights and battles, without anyone knowing properly what’s going on – that’s going to be a mess.’

Brina spoke up. ‘Yup. Going to be a diplomatic shitshow. No-one able to know what’s happenin’, it’s a mess. Lots of nastiness, lots of stuff lockin’ down.’

Pajaran nodded. ‘Yeah, it’s going to be a mess. Everyone’s probably going to be paranoid and cautious as well, so any attempt at diplomacy is going to be a mess.’

‘And yet, we seem to be whiling away in some remote village? While the locals may be thankful, this does seem a rather petty use of our talents.’ Janaxia’s voice sounded distant and tired, her face pale in the shadows. ‘And there was that commotion earlier – some vampire or somesuch? That seems likely to be troublesome, does it not?’

‘Stathis can probably, like, glow at them? That seems to work. Couple of stabs, stabby, stabby. Or we just dig a big pit and toss ‘em in, then throw dirt over them. Should deal with them for long enough. Ooo, we could set them on fire? That should work, right? And the other undead are just annoying, but not, like, really powerful or anything.’ She punched the air. ‘Gross to fight, but there’s no special ones. Least that we’ve seen. So, we deal with them, then what?’

Vrintar spoke. ‘Yes. They may be a threat, but we have faced more dangerous ones. But, while there may be a problem to be solved here, what then, Stathis?’

‘Can we try and work on the immediate problem first? And then I’ll try and think of what to do next.’

Hmph. I suppose that is some form of leadership. If very short-term!

‘The vampire said she was called Juliette Uth Kamari. You know her, Janaxia?’

‘Ah. A distant cousin. From one of the lesser branches. It’s not really a surprise that she has taken to such dubious methods. She always was overly vain.’

Stathis tried to keep a straight face, Semari cackling, Pajaran and Vrintar sniggering.

I don’t know what you find quite so amusing!

‘So, I assume she’s a necromancer by herself? How powerful?’

‘Oh, she was never more than a middling practitioner. Although being one of the undead herself may have boosted her talents somewhat. Or she has an ally somewhere – I would be surprised if she is able to control many by herself. You mentioned a large number?’

‘Hundreds.’

‘Hmmm. Yes, that does seem likely to be outside her powers, unless she has been enhanced in some fashion. She always was rather fond of slinking up to those in power and ingratiating herself to them, so it wouldn’t be a surprise if she had found someone else to lend her their power. A shame she wasn’t killed then, but it seems she managed to complete her training.’

‘Do you think that you could defeat her?’

‘As a wizard? Yes, I think so. Although as a vampire, she will be likely be very potent in close quarters, which is scarcely my forte. And, before anyone should think to ask, because I know how your vulgar minds work, no, we do not have any special historical relationship, beyond one of mutual dislike. I can see those gestures you are making, Semari, and they are neither smart nor anatomically correct. So any ideas you may have based around seduction are entirely fruitless.’

‘OK, OK. Thanks for the information. There’s not many of them, the main problem is going to be that they’re really fast. Hakara, Pajaran, is there anything you can do to stop them turning into mist?’

‘I guess I could try holy water? Don’t know if that will do much.’

‘Hey, could you bless my fists? I can run them down and punch-punch-punch?’ Semari punched the air again. ‘That would be cool.’

‘I think so, but it wouldn’t last for long.’

‘Awww, that sucks! How come magic can never do anything useful!’

‘Hakara, Janaxia, any idea why they might be here? Either of you think of anything?’

Hakara clicked her fingers, magical light sparking between her fingertips. She gestured and the light drifted over to the wall, covered with her scribbles. Stathis winced, hoping that the lecture wouldn’t be too brain-meltingly complicated.

‘The lighting is too often to be natural. I’ve not had time to study it in any great depth, but I think that the power could be used, maybe.’

‘Used for what? Could you make a lightning attack?’

‘Perhaps, but I was thinking maybe teleportation. As it wouldn’t be using the ethereal plane, then it wouldn’t run the risk of death. Although there would be, um, other dangers. Being hit by lightning twice would probably be quite unpleasant.’

Janaxia grinned. Perhaps Semari could be a test subject?

‘I heard that! And I don’t wanna!’

‘If you could look into it, at least. It might be useful as a fall-back. This wouldn’t work for most people, would it?’

‘Not without a lot of magical protection. But it would allow for rapid movement.’

‘Owwww! But it sounds painful! Why don’t we throw, like, a sheep or something in first? At least that way we might get some nice meat from it!’

‘No, I think that human experimentation is the best choice. It’s the only one that we can be sure will give accurate results, after all. And you’re a harder test subject, I’m sure it will be fine!’

‘Janaxia, stop bullying Semari. Semari, you don’t have to be the test subject unless things get really desperate. Or if you want to.’

‘Don’t wanna!’

‘Fair enough. We’ll keep that as a backup plan. Hakara, any idea what it might be for? Keeping something powered?’

‘Some form of large-scale effect? I’m unsure as to the effect though.’

‘At least lightning isn’t too much of an immediate problem. Oh, speaking of strange magical things, Vrintar – have you got that shard?’

Stathis moved over and took it, then walked close to Janaxia, holding her palm up so that Janaxia could see the slither of glossy black on her hand. It felt cold and lethally sharp, threatening to cut her hand even without moving. Janaxia stared down at it as Stathis held it forward.

‘There was another of those shapeshifters – I managed to defeat it, with Parth’s help. It dropped this though.’

Janaxia stretched a hand out, a red-tipped nail tapping against the shard of darkness. It’s form collapsed and wavered, the metallic substance breaking apart, some dust pooling in Stathis’ hand, a barely perceptible haze of darkness trailing around Janaxia’s finger and soaking into her skin. Stathis saw a faint touch of movement beneath the lace on Janaxia’s chest – was that her tattoo?

‘How do you feel?’

I would rather be somewhere with better amenities. She shook her finger, the last of the haze vanishing from sight. Stathis grabbed her hand and expended some of her own energy, a daylight glow washing out. She could feel the warmth of Janaxia’s hand, nails scratching against her palm before going limp, Janaxia’s eyelids fluttering.

Hmmm, that was rather pleasant. Although I am uninjured, but thank you.

Her eyes hadn’t changed colour, her horns the usual glossy black. ‘How are the Sethans doing?’

‘They seem to have settled in well enough. There were a few issues setting boundaries with the locals, but that seems to have been settled well enough. Sen appears to be keeping them in line well enough. And they are thankful for somewhere to settle, even if it is rather… isolated. They are from a city, being somewhere so rural is something of a strain on them.’

‘Their silks do stand out a bit.’

‘Quite. They would rather be somewhere rather larger, if possible. Somewhere a little more civilised and urbane – they’re not particularly fond of manual labour.’

‘That’s going to have to wait! At the moment we’re stuck here.’

‘Some of them have expressed a willingness to fight, if it would help. While they are not professional fighters, they do have some prowess at stealth and the like. I’ve seen some practising with the locals as well – perhaps they could become scouts? As it seems that we are in a position where mass mobilisation may be needed?’

‘Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that!’ Janaxia’s nails prickled against her palm, tickling her flesh. ‘Although it’s good they’re not causing problems. Do you think you know anything about Julietta that might lure her out? Kivata, do you know any spells that might help?’ The fingers tensed, nails spiking harder in Stathis’ palm, but she didn’t let go of Janaxia’s hand.

‘She was something of a vain show-off. If there was an occasion in which she could demonstrate her supremacy, then that might be sufficient to draw her attention. Of course, she will have her magical prowess, and as a vampire it is likely that she is physically strong, but that’s what this is for.’ She leaned forward and flicked Stathis’ chest, a nail striking the metal with a resonant clang. ‘Although it would be easier if we were to know what she is after. Kita, if you have any suspicions or knowledge of what she may be seeking, it would be best for you to speak up now.’

‘You don’t need to make it sound like a threat!’

Kivata spoke, her voice soft and quiet. ‘The area is desolate and isolated. Such areas are often home to ancient beasts and lost mysteries. The creatures sealed away are often found in such places. Or monsters make their homes. Such places are often ripe with bodies that can be used.’

‘No necromancy, thanks. We’ve got enough problems without raising up the bodies! But you don’t know of anything specifically around here?’ Kivata looked down, shoulders sagging. ‘I’m not mad or anything, but if you do think of anything, then pass it on.’ Stathis squeezed Janaxia’s hand, not letting her withdraw, despite her slight look of annoyance. ‘Janaxia, if you start getting any odd feelings, tell me.’ She channeled energy again, the effect casting odd shadows from her palm, with Janaxia’s hand in the way. Janaxia’s eyelids fluttered, her lips forming into an “O” before she recovered herself.

Hmmm, that is rather pleasant, although it does seem unfairly distracting.

‘If any of you can think of anything that might be useful for locking Juliette and her minions down, then let me know. We’re going to have to go onto watch-shifts, I want someone up and available at all hours, in case there’s an attack. It’s not like there’s any daylight to force them away, and the locals still aren’t up to much. If any of the Sethans are able to fight, get them organised, we’re going to need everyone we can get.’

Janaxia’s hand tugged against her own, trying to twist free until Stathis released her. ‘I will let that be known. Some of them seem eager to prove themselves in rather directly martial ways. And a number of them do possess minor magical talents, which should prove useful.’

‘Thanks for helping with that. You’re a useful liaison.’

Janaxia smiled and preened, her horn-chains clinking. ‘I do seem to be suited to such diplomatic engagements, do I not? I will see who is willing to lend their efforts. And I will speak to Ophalissia as well – it would be best to assure her engagement, I feel. Once she has fully recovered, of course.’

‘Just make sure that no-one gets turned to stone!’

‘I’m sure she is quite capable of looking after herself when in company. So, I will leave you to your planning and tend to her. Do your best to come up with something satisfactory and with as little risk to myself as possible. And, for once, I agree with Semari – I would rather not be transported by lightning. That sounds rather unpleasant, and likely to make a mess of my hair.’ She ran her fingers through the dark strands, an earring flashing into view for a second.

‘Well, I hope it won’t come to that, but it’s better to have options than not. Pajaran, stock up on healing items and holy water. Brina, talk to the locals and see if there’s any local legends or myths or anything, or what the hell is going on with the lightning. Vrintar, Semari, Parth – just stay on watch. Semari, don’t take naps when you’re meant to be on guard.’ Semari groaned in protest. ‘If you’ve got spare time, then train some of the locals, they’re going to need all the help they can get.’

‘Oooo, that could be fun.’

‘Don’t just beat them up, please? Or teach them anything just because you think it’s funny.’

‘You’re sucking all the fun outta this, you know!’

‘Good! OK, I think that covers everything then. Hakara, I’m probably going to regret this, but if you could try and explain the magical stuff to me again? Although maybe without the diagrams this time? As they hurt my head before.’

‘I will try, Stathis.’

The others started drifting away, Semari jumping back up into the rafters, Janaxia elegantly drifting away, as Stathis bolstered herself for the oncoming mental onslaught.