It had been easier to simply bring the gear up to the surface of the vault rather than all the way back to the turn, the stuff getting sorted into uneven piles, heaps of swords next to a sprawling pit full of daggers, armour being treated more carefully, people trying to assemble full suits from assorted bits and pieces. Everyone had been issued with weapons, the soldiers and Ophalissia’s followers with armour, the shining enchanted metal or leather looking bright against the dour mud and dirt.

‘Hakara, are you sure you don’t need sleep? You’re looking, uh… a little drained?’

The woman’s face was tight and drawn, a magical circle in front of her containing several magical swords, all floating, supported by its power. Her eyes were bloodshot, but her fingers flashed through a spell, the glow moving along the blades. ‘These are more of the lowest-tier, put them with the rest.’ She swayed, Stathis having to support her. She blinked only just seeming to notice Stathis.

‘I need to finish cataloguing these, so that… so that.’

Ophalissia walked past, hood up as she approached. A serpentine head lunged out, biting into Hakara’s neck and drawing blood as fangs flashed. Hakara’s pupils dilated, and she slumped forward, Stathis catching her, instinctively healing the wound in her neck.

‘Hey! What was that?’

Ophalissia looked up at her, face hidden beneath her hood, her hair hissing. ‘Worry not, it will help her slumber. She will wake feeling better.’

Stathis shifted Hakara in her arms, trying to get a decent grip on her, the loose and tough robes hard to properly hold. ‘Uh, thanks, I guess? But maybe ask next time?’ Hakara stirred in her arms, before Stathis hefted her into a more comfortable carry. ‘I’ll go find somewhere to deposit her, I guess. Have you got all your men equipped?’

Her hood writhed and hissed, more snake-tongues flicking into sight before retracting. ‘Yes, they are.’ She made a strange bow, having to keep her head very tilted to keep her hood in place. ‘It is an honour to bear such regalia.’

‘It’s nothing that special. Well, I guess the sheer amount was, but it’s worse than our current gear, so not worth upgrading. Although I’d like a fresh suit of armour if there’s one that fits me! And Janaxia’s hoping for some fancy robes, I think. I’m just glad that there’s enough that no-one will be getting possessive. And it’s not like there’s really anywhere this amount can be traded, which helps. I’ll go find somewhere comfortable to put Hakara. Have you seen Kivata around recently?’

‘Lady Janaxia’s kin? I believe she was assisting with more of the magical item identification, but I think Lady Janaxia was using her to assist with something.’

Stathis sighed. ‘Well, as long as she’s not bullying Kivata. I’ve seen you with Sen – you getting on with the Sethans?’ Did they talk about poisons? Or have things in common because they were snake-like?

‘We have much in common.’

‘And the Iristari? I’m surprised that there’s not been any problems, but there’s been a lot going on.’

Snakes hissed. ‘They are courteous, if unsure of themselves. I have prepared everyone to depart, Lady Janaxia says a rank of “Baroness” might be granted?’

‘Uh… Not really my department? Let’s try and not die first. And that’s not really Janaxia’s part to say either! I guess if this gets formally recognised as somewhere, someone has to be in charge?’ There’s more important things to worry about before that.’

She walked away, carrying Hakara. As she walked, townsfolk nodded at her, a few making semi-salutes. They were all armed, although many looked awkward with the weapons on their hips, or unaccustomed to their armour. A bonfire was roaring in the centre of the town, the Sethans gathered around it, enjoying the warmth. Janaxia was on her disk, now shaped like a throne, floating there, Sen close at hand. The throne rotated and moved forward, coming towards Stathis. She glanced down at the unconscious Hakara, jewellery catching the light.

‘Don’t worry, I’m just dropping her off to rest. Ophalissia bit her, so don’t go get jealous.’

Hmph.

‘You’re looking very… regal. Is that throne comfortable?’ She wriggled Hakara around, tapping a hand against the disk. It felt soft and foamy under her touch, crumbling away. It started to teeter, Janaxia tilting until Stathis withdrew her hand and it started to right itself. Despite the tilting, Janaxia gave no indication there was anything unusual, angling her head to keep herself straight.

‘It seems fitting, does it not? And is certainly more comfortable than the ground. Now, I assume we will be moving out shortly? A shame there is no opportunity to acquire appropriate uniforms – that would look far better, I think. Something in red and black, maybe with some brassy tints?’

‘Perhaps something a little less… evil-looking? Although I guess they’re all irregulars, so matching uniforms is extra. And traditionally paid for by the noble in charge – is that you?’

‘Yes, I rather suppose I am. I suppose I should give them some appropriately dashing name? Dragoons, maybe?’

‘Those are mounted troops. So unless you can conjure up a lot of horses, then that’s just going to be confusing. Also, don’t take this the wrong way, but, um… you’re not really a battlefield commander. Although that mind-voice thing would be useful for making sure everyone can hear. Lot easier than just yelling! I’ve shouted myself hoarse before. And you’ve been keeping everything calm?’

‘There seems to be a certain sense of camaraderie fostered between the groups. Forged in fire and so forth. Although it may take further work before there is a true bond, but there seems to be sufficient trust to overcome the initial fears. I am still hoping out for a romance to cement things, but, sadly, nothing of that ilk appears to be developing.’

‘Well, maybe give it time? And when there’s less shit going down. This place still reeks of burned corpses, and everyone’s exhausted. I’ve been helping Pajaran cure up the most injured, but there’s going to be quite a few people with scars and worse from this.’

‘And yet we lived. And it seems that dropping down like an angel of vengeance, wings afire to strike down the foe is rather impactful as regards morale? You certainly seem far less reticent about allowing others to know of your particular abilities.’ The look she gave Stathis was decidedly accusatory.

‘There wasn’t really any way around it!’

‘Hmm. Well, I suppose it is done now. I do think that, perhaps, it might have been better to prepare in advance for your rather dramatic arrival? Perhaps by seeding some rumours or suchlike? To ensure that it is seen as appropriately portentous?’

‘I’m not really into that sort of thing, it gets a bit complicated.’

‘You should acquire someone for such tasks. As I have Sen to relay my will.’ She gestured at the woman, stood on the side of the throne – she had acquired more ornaments and jewellery from somewhere, brassy discs catching the firelight and following the lines of her hips and breasts, a wire across her cheeks and nose holding up a veil. They dipped their head in a bow, metal clinking, before she smiled, showing off fangs.

‘That would be Pajaran, I guess? She knows military organisation, and her skills are suited to support.’ Janaxia’s eyes narrowed, green shards staring frostily at Stathis. She sighed. ‘Don’t get twitchy! If you want to be an ADC, you can, but do you even know what that means? If there’s any fancy events, I’ll take you as my plus one, and you’ve got the Sethans to be in charge of.’ Even if she probably left everything to Sen to actually do. ‘Sen, do you know how food and other supplies are doing?’

‘Poorly, Lady Stathis. The town is running very low, even with Miss Pajaran’s assistance.’

‘Starving to death after a grand defeat would be rather ignominious – I do hope you have some plan to assuage this?’

‘We’re going to have to leave, aren’t we? We can’t stay here.’

‘Well, you do seem to have acquired an army, so perhaps make use of that? This land appears unclaimed and empty – you could certainly do worse than claim it for yourself. Although it may take some doing to establish trade routes and begin trading.’

‘I’m not setting up a kingdom! And definitely don’t want to become a ruler!’ Stathis sighed again. ‘Dammit, I really have to be in charge, don’t I?’

‘It does seem that way, yes. Unless there is anyone else you would rather delegate to? Although the Iristari contingent certainly seems to think highly of you, such that it would be hard for you not to be in charge of them. And much the same goes for the locals, and Ophalissia’s followers as well. Perhaps you should stop fleeing from your fears of leadership?’

‘Are you enjoying this?’

Perhaps a little, yes. It is certainly nice to see you as less than entirely sure of yourself for once. But you should perhaps be tending to Hakara, unless you intend to hold her for eight hours? And doubtless you now have other important tasks to tend to.

‘Once I’m done, then I’ll come talk again.’

That would be pleasant, perhaps.

Her disk rotated, casting her back into half-light, and Stathis shifted Hakara in her grip and walked away, heading back towards the main building. She passed a group of Iristari soldiers, trying to clean their armour, and they scrabbled to their feet in a hurry to salute, arms precisely angled. One of them was obviously injured, moving more slowly, blood oozing into a dirty bandage wrapped around their leg.

‘You don’t need to do that!’ She reached out and touched the wounded one, a golden glow flowing out, Hakara held in just one arm. ‘And you should have reported to the infirmary for treatment, don’t want you getting blackrot. And don’t try and argue that it was just a scratch – even minor wounds need to be inspected!’

‘Yes, captain!’ His voice was strident, and he saluted again.

Stathis didn’t have the energy to correct him as she shifted Hakara again. ‘If anyone else is hiding wounds, tell them not to! Pajaran’s not got much else to do, and we need everyone functional.’

They stood in parade poses, eyes in the carefully-angled position of not meeting her gaze, but watching her for any commands or orders. She’d been on the other end of this far too often herself not to recognise it! Any chance of having a normal conversation was now completely gone, the soldiers fully in “professional” mode. Well, at least they were maintaining their equipment. She saluted back, putting effort into making it crisp and correct.

‘About your business then. Take a break – you’ve earned it!’ She stepped away, all of them returning to their maintenance with renewed vigour, scrubbing at the stains on the metal.

The town hall was busy now, with records being taken of all the equipment assigned – considering how much it was worth, it was probably a good idea, but Stathis was glad that she wasn’t having to deal with the paperwork herself! As she walked, soldiers saluted, the townsfolk often trying to imitate the movement, or at least standing back and allowing her a wide berth, before she reached the room that Hakara had requisitioned as her lab. Several of the more unusual magical items were stored here, Stathis keeping a wide berth from them, just in case they did something unexpected.

She lay Hakara out on the basic bed, pulling blankets over her, before scribbling a note with an order to rest. That done, she went to the infirmary. Cool, steely light washed around the doorway, and she stepped inside just in time to see Pajaran finish casting a healing spell, a ragged gash on a man’s chest closing up, leaving just a crusty scab of dried blood.

‘That should be the worst of it, but if you feel anything unusual or cough up blood, come and see me. Don’t be stupid and try and tough it out.’

‘Yes ma’am.’ He saluted, Pajaran looking at Stathis with a roll of the eyes, Stathis shrugging her shoulders and smirking back. The most heavily wounded soldiers were in here, those that were beyond Pajaran’s treatments, that had lost limbs in the fighting. There was a low clamour as they registered Stathis’ presence, trying to rise themselves up.

‘At ease! This isn’t anything official, just wanting to check up on everyone. Lieutenant Pajaran, a word?’

‘Sure thing.’ She cast another spell, cleaning the worst of the blood and grime off the man’s chest before moving away, twisting her fingers to try and relieve strain. ‘And, uh, “lieutenant”?’

‘Call it a field promotion. You deserve it, and it’ll make things easier if everyone gets sued to thinking of you as being my second. This whole thing is messy enough already with command structures! Ophalissia’s angling for a peerage now, which is not something I can grant.’

‘Well, if there’s no-one else here in charge, then may as well be her, I guess. She doesn’t seem very predatory for someone with snakes for hair, and as long as she keeps her hood up, she’s not that dangerous. And you could probably get a treaty sorted out nice and fast if you want anything more formal, although I guess this place might be miles from anywhere useful? Certainly not anywhere contested.’

‘I’m not a head of state!’

‘You’ve got an army, you pretty much are. Not formally, but in every way that matters, by which I mean you have an army. And showing up with wings of light to beat the shit out of some dude has done a lot to cement everyone’s loyalties, and that was before showing up with hundreds of magical weapons. There’s people that think we can actually win this thing – not that anyone is sure what this actually is, beyond “creepy magical bullshit” and too much necromancy.’

‘I’ll do what I can!’

‘Great. So when are we moving out, and where to?’

‘Wherever we can get food, to start with! We’re going to have to try and pay with magical items, unless Hakara finds an item that can conjure up food and drink. And I’ll have to keep Janaxia away from those negotiations, because she’ll probably be quite forceful about it.’

‘Yeah, probably don’t want someone on a floating black throne to be doing negotiations. That doesn’t look very good! Maybe get some rugs or furs or something on there? Has she declared herself a queen yet?’

‘Thankfully not! Although she’s in charge of the Sethans, although I’m pretty sure that Sen’s doing all the actual work. And Ophalissia gets on with her as well.’

‘A serpentine alliance. Well, they don’t seem particularly malicious at all, and having a load of people with magical attacks is really useful when we’re probably going to be fighting more ghosts and stuff soon. Have you spoken to Parth about this though? She might have some opinions on it all – she’s a queen herself isn’t she? She might have something useful to say.’

‘I’ve not seen much of her, actually. I assumed she was off scouting? Or digging into any local ruins. And whenever I do talk to her, it’s normally prophecy-stuff that I don’t understand, or that isn’t helpful.’

‘Well, if you can get her to recruit any elves we pass, we’d have some better scouts and long-ranged attackers. We’ve got decent infantry and irregular, but we’re short heavy infantry and cavalry, unless you’re planning on doing all of that by yourself. This is your command now!’

‘Yeah, I get that. Don’t want to, but there’s not really any choice at this point. But to do anything, we’re going to need to get out of here first, and back somewhere with, well… much of anything. Until we’re somewhere more open, massed battlelines are not going to happen, so heavy troops would be more of a downside than a benefit. In terrain like this, even light cavalry would be useless.’

Pajaran smiled at her. ‘Spoken like a commander! Now go and tell everyone how well they’re doing, go boost that morale. And you should probably make sure that Semari’s not breaking anyone – I’ve had a few sprains in here from people she’s challenged to arm wrestles. I’d hope people would learn after the first few times she trounced them, but you know what bored soldiers are like.’

‘Dammit! Yes, fine, I’ll talk to her. It’s not like she needs the money!’

‘Well, go give her some orders, get her to do something.’

‘See, shit like this is why I don’t want to be in charge.’

‘You shouldn’t be so shiny then, should you? You’ve not really got much choice any more.’ Pajaran was entirely unsympathetic. ‘Maybe if you’d gone along it sooner, you might not have to do quite so much on your own? And maybe without a slightly suspicious-looking whatever-Janaxia-is tagging along?’

‘If she wasn’t here, she’d probably be up to something far worse. Either under the thumb of her family, or she’d have usurped her mother and taken over.’

‘Yeah, that’s true. I guess she’s better on our side, despite everything. And she did save me from the everfrost. Just be helpful if she tried to look a bit less spiky and evil.’

‘Trust me, I know. There’s a reason I don’t want her doing diplomatic work on her own! That would definitely send the wrong signals. Or everyone would think we’re working with the wrong side. And I still need to talk to her about Brina.’

‘Oh? Sorting out your love life?’

‘Don’t laugh! It’s a bloody nuisance.’

‘Entirely your own fault. Could’ve said no to either of them.’

‘You’re not helping! Gods, I’d rather deal with paperwork than that, but it needs doing at some point, it’s just never the right time.’

‘Given that the sky is permanently black, then you might want to do it sooner rather than later. Just in case the end of the world does happen.’

One of the patients groaned, coughing up blood, Pajaran turning away to deal with them, Stathis leaving.