I scurry to get out of sight from Idali in order to take a moment more to rest and digest my defeat. Her simple shoulder slam, which I'm more than certain wasn't even executed at her top speed, hurt more than I let on to her.

Not only my body but my pride. It shook my ribs, shocked my organs, and tipped me over even though I was ready for it. What broke my stance was less the impact than the fact my knees gave out, they rarely had for me with the parasite.

I pause and crouch down behind a tiny ripple in the terrain, out of breath. Did I seriously just tire myself out to rest out of view? How stupid is that? I let myself fall onto my back with a grunt.

My sword strike to her spear was on point even without a lion strike, I've not become entirely useless. But my stance was off, unbalanced. Was it the difference in weight? I leaned too much forward, I think.

I tried to compensate for my left arm's strength without having it even though I've somewhat managed to relearn that I don't have one anymore over the last few days. Being conscious that I have a single arm doesn't mean I'm able to make all the adjustments to my fighting style, fuck me.

It's fine, even Elizabeth became sick and tired of slaughter. Only of those undeserving of it, Nobility requires obliteration. I shake my head, feeling the onset of a headache. I hope Idali won't go through what I have.

I rise and head south at a moderate pace, baffled by my lack of endurance. The short bout didn't drain me, far from it, but it wouldn't even have had an effect on me before I lost my arm.

I find the Princesses' escort a good few kilometers away from the camp, several thousand scouts and at least two thousand warriors. They are patrolling a large area around Fenyz and Celyz who are rooted in the center.

I'm surprised to find that Fenyz isn't armed or wearing a Vuskyt chest plate even though I should have expected it considering she's on a date, I think. I enhance my eyesight on the way to them, spotting a worker carrying a rack which likely contains the Princess' weapons.

The two are clearly aware of my approach as they occasionally turn in my direction. I suspect they're tasting the air as I should be too far for them to detect. I slow my pace out of nervousness.

Their escort splits to let me pass but in an organized fashion which tells me that they were told to do so. Not so long ago, the drones individually decided to let me pass without requiring a Princess' order.

“Elzbth!” Cetyz exclaims excitedly as she uproots herself.

“Cetyz.” I reply, my lips quickly drawing up in a genuine smile.

The Princess rushes at me with Fenyz appearing by her side within moments. I decide not to let her antagonism towards me sour the good mood Cetyz induces in me with her habitual youthful behavior. Seeing her so chirpy almost makes it all worth it.

Cetyz plants her heels into the earth a few meters away from me and skids to a stop, leaving a meter-long furrow in the ground behind her. Fenyz stops more gracefully, by angling her forward foot and planting it sideways to absorb her speed with her reversed knee.

Cetyz passes her tendrils underneath my armpit to take hold of my torso and pick me up to spin me around. I laugh at her unexpected cheerfulness even though Fenyz is hovering near and at the ready to separate us.

“Fenyz agree be with me!” Cetyz tells me in her resounding voice.

“Congratulations, sister of my heart.” I reply, grinning.

“Hii.” Cetyz chirps, bringing me into a tight hug.

I almost hear my ribs squeak and am surprised when Fenyz is the one who takes a small step and nudges Cetyz to tell her to restrain her enthusiasm. I take a deep breath and thank Fenyz with a nod and a grunting laugh.

Fenyz taps what remains of my left shoulder in a gesture of camaraderie. I'm quite certain this is the first time she's made physical contact with me. I pause, a little baffled.

“Hii, rhyyy.” Cetyz spouts out the overjoyed unintelligible sounds as she more carefully spins me around.

Fenyz' ovaloid head remains turned to Cetyz until she calms down and sets me down. I chuckle at how transfixed the proud Princess is by Cetyz. I can definitely understand her attraction.

“Did you offer her flowers?” I ask Fenyz.

“No, should I have?” She replies, intently leaning forward.

“Hmph.” I snort, looking down on her as I gaze up to her. “Come!”

I head west to get away from the shore and seek some winter flowers out, feeling enthusiastic. Fenyz doesn't follow so I throw a look over my shoulder to Cetyz, making her follow my gaze.

As I expected, Cetyz' ovaloid head is trained on Fenyz, her tendrils trembling in barely restrained excitement. Fenyz immediately catches up, her head angled towards me in confusion.

Rykz are so focused on utility from what I've seen that they likely categorize flowers as either beneficial to cultivate for a purpose of fit to uproot in order for other plants to grow more freely.

“It's the gesture of the gift that matters.” I whisper to Fenyz.

Fenyz doesn't respond but she unwraps all her tendrils from around her trunk, which tells me that she's definitely up for it. I hear Cetyz trotting behind us with a spring in her steps, clearly eager to find out what I'm up to.

I spot a perfect flowerbed with plenty of winter flowers including pink heathers along with white and purple pansies. I guide Fenyz there while holding my hand out behind my back to tell Cetyz to wait a little while.

“Pick out several dozen, you might fail a few times and there's plenty all over the Izla.” I tell her.

I take a few myself to try to braid them into the start of a crown. I immediately find out that this is one more task I am no longer able to accomplish.

I don't let that defeat me. I shape an air shield to provide a counter to my thumb. Unfortunately, I have very little success as I can't exactly invent a technique on the spot.

“What do I need to do?” Fenyz asks in a low tone of voice to avoid being overheard by Cetyz.

“Do you know how to braid?” I question, peeved at myself for not realizing my new limits.

“Of course.” Fenyz replies.

“Do that but in a circle just wide enough to rest on her head.” I reply. “I tended to use a base of heathers while sprinkling the occasional pansies for color variation.”

Fenyz quickly gets working, using her twelve tendrils with amazing dexterity to figure out how to create the crown of flowers. It takes her a few false starts as stems are rather fragile, compared to the leather she likely usually braids, but she doesn't lose any motivation and manages to get the hang of it.

Cetyz starts scratching the ground with her left foot's roots in impatience. It makes me smile. I grin further when Fenyz doesn't stop with a single circle of flowers and adds two more layers, clearly overdoing it.

Fenyz leaps to Cetyz and drops the crown on flowers on her head without a word. Hopefully, she said something in their language. Celyz starts giggling as she spins around herself, raising her tendrils to touch and examine the gift.

“It sheep food, smell good!” Cetyz spouts out in an ecstatic tone.

“Krr.” I snort, failing to fully suppress my laughter. “Tell her it's pretty.” I tell Cetyz in a loud whisper.

“It beautiful!” Cetyz quickly exclaims to Fenyz.

The two reach out to each other with a single tendril each, making me swiftly turn my back on them to give them privacy in what I feel to be an intimate contact and show of love.

Faced with the flowerbed, still with a handful of heathers in my hand that I failed to braid, I decide to keep trying while they have their moment in the hope of making Celyz as happy as Cetyz was.

I sit down to fail, and fail again, which plays into the dark cloud of depression that never seems to leave me. Still, I persevere because that's what I do. I successfully manage to wrap three stems together but fumble adding the fourth, destroying my progress.

Fenyz and Cetyz join me after a few minutes, planting their roots in front of me to my right and left. They silently start helping me make a discreet thin crown, my sour mood immediately dissipates as I see the progress we make soar.

“Elzbth, what do now?” Cetyz asks me.

“Go back home to my life, like you.” I reply, looking forward to it.

“...” Cetyz angles her head to the side. She's probably wondering about what a human would do.

“Is your sight fully recovered?” Fenyz asks abruptly.

“Mostly, the sun still feels overly bright but I've been using my increased access to feed a healing construct so it should get better.” I reply. “I have about three portions now, I'm surprised that many people pledged to me considering the Izla should be pledging to the Hospitaliers or still be tied to their liege. The law remains that one cannot be unbound and the only lawful bindings to be made are towards titled Nobles.”

“Has the symbiont kept its reserve?” Fenyz questions.

“I doubt it.” I blink, having not thought about it. “Maybe, it's oddly capable in some respects but not others so it's hard to tell.”

“Sad, Little one hunger made mad.” Cetyz shakes her head.

“Hm.” I respond noncommittally.

“You make Cetyz bright.” Fenyz suddenly speaks up. “You should not die.”

“Okay, thanks.” I reply, blinking in surprise.

“The Fiery Hive to the north will give you refuge if you cannot reach the Silver Hive.” Fenyz adds. “Any Hive will but only the Azure Hive matches those two in their experience at war, the other Queens are younger and may delay their decision in spite of advice from their Princesses.”

“I'll remember that.” I reply, smiling. “I don't plan to get anywhere near the war in the east.”

“You like me, battle brings you peace.” Fenyz tells me, suggesting my intentions won't matter.

“It doesn't bring me peace.” I utter firmly. “But there is a clarity as to allies and enemies in a battlefield. Those with the skill can settle things in the simplest and most unfair, unjust, way.”

“The fittest to deal with the circumstances will survive, it is not unfair.” Fenyz denies.

“Where do you come from?” I ask, wanting to change the subject.

“I was hatched in the Azure Hive which I left when Queen Grikyz required a skilled leader for her army.” Fenyz replies.

“Oh. Any advice about the Lisilese?” I ask.

“Never turn your back on a cold blood.” Fenyz answers calmly. “They may pounce you even if it means their death. We have used that flaw to our benefit, but humans do not have the stomach for the casualties involved.”

“Rhk.” Cetyz exhales, showing her dissatisfaction at the grave topic.

“One moment.” Fenyz says, gently reaching over my head with one of her tendrils to caress her lover's side. “It yet amazes me how you have succeeded almost by yourself when we expected you to take months to organize a force strong enough to cause chaos for us to exploit.”

“Thanks.” I carefully reply, expecting more.

“Do not rely on anything similar to happen again, it will likely get you killed.” Fenyz tells me in a calm tone, likely trying not to sound harsh. “If you encounter this kind of success again, take it but do not ever expect it.”

“I won't.” I agree.

“Go sister, you want!” Cetyz explodes like she's been restraining herself for hours.

“I do want to say goodbye to you two.” I mutter.

“Did, now go!” Cetyz replies impatiently.

“We all walk under the same sunlight, Elizabeth.” Fenyz tells me.

The two Princess make me face the north-east before gently pushing me away. I sigh and start moving, thin crown of flowers in hand. I read into their attitude that I may have extended my welcome by sticking around.

I push back against a dark feeling of shame at having imposed myself by repeating to myself that they didn't express that so it makes little sense to imagine a wrong.

I make my way through the Rykz escort and put some distance between us before slowing down as I get more and more anxious about our meeting. Our last meeting for what will likely be years, which I may have few of left to live.

I start quite literally dragging my feet on my way back to the lake they dug. What if I'm not good enough? What if I'm not longer intoxicating to her? What if I lack the skill? What if I disappoint her?

What if she refuses to let me go? I come to a full stop, paralyzed by my worries. The crown of flowers starts sliding off my fingers so I close my hand around it, unwilling to let it slip away.

I struggle to figure out whether it would be a good or bad thing for Celyz to grow as dominant as Leomi can be. It would probably, definitely, get me to fold to her will to a point but I suspect it might send our relationship somewhere neither of us thinks we would thrive.

“I need to keep moving.” I utter.

I take a step and then another. I start jogging towards the lake but soon find myself out of breath and am forced to slow down. I make my way at a regular pace, firmly resolved to give Celyz a reason to give up on me out of satisfaction or a good justification for her decision to wait for me.

The sun rises as I keep walking, reaching the late morning position by the time I find the lake, absent Celyz. I bite my lower lip in disappointment but have no fear that she won't show as she stated she would be here.

I carefully sit down a distance away from the water and deposit my gift on my knee as I wait for her, my heartbeat growing more restless as time goes by, way nervous about my ability to reach my goal.

When I hear her steps, I snatch the flower crown and burst up to my feet, turning around. She's holding with a leather roll which likely contains pieces of parchment.

“Jessica, you are early.” Celyz notes.

“Your sisters sent me away to you.” I reply, affecting a casual shrug that definitely appears anything other than that considering how rigidly I'm standing.

“I have a gift to give you.” She speaks up, her raising the leather roll. “Before you refuse...”

“I refuse.” I interrupt her just as she warns me not to. I bite my tongue. “Sorry, anything more than the weapon and all you taught me would make me uncomfortable.”

“Before you refuse.” Celyz resumes with an amused chuckle. “Know that these papers contain the location of our metal mines and the grotto where we've stored the gear we have seized during the war. As the only one who knows, it all belongs to you.”

“Celyz... I don't want it.” I protest.

“You will have to make a decision about whether to profit from it or relay the information to whoever you choose but be aware that the Templar's plate armors are there as well as many of Nobility's personal suits of armor.” Celyz explains.

“Ugh.” I grunt. “Fine, but I don't see why you don't directly forward it all to the Council since I'm pretty sure you know that's what I'll do.”

“Because even if you do not benefit directly, they will owe you.” Celyz replies quietly.

I stand awkwardly for a moment before taking the roll from her and sticking it inside my pants behind my back. The two of us stare at each other for a while, both shifting on our feet rather awkwardly. Be strong.

“I have a gift too, Celyz.” I say in a tiny voice, raising the flower crown.

“What does it do?” She asks.

“It's just a token.” I tell her.

I come nowhere near saying the word 'nothing' but it yet weights on my mind as I would have used it. These thoughts bring my Lady to the forefront of my mind, her magnificent breasts and mesmerizing gaze seeming to condemn me.

I hate myself on both my love's behalf for my infidelity, yet cannot abandon either at risk of ending alone when I need each in my life so much that I fear to lose the strength to merely stand without them.

“Of what?” Celyz asks, confused.

“Of my affection, of my love.” I mutter, embarrassed. “If you can lean down a bit, I'll put it on your head.”

“...” Celyz falls silent for a long moment. “This is not a gift, it is a promise.” She finally affirms.

“What kind?” I question.

Celyz doesn't respond, she bends her knees and lowers her thunk down to her calves, angling her head forward. Pressing her wouldn't feel right here so I choose not to, she will tell me if she desires to.

I gently set the thin circle of braided heathers and pansies atop her ovaloid head, taking care not to block any of the twelve openings allowing her to breathe. I take a few seconds to adjust the pansies so that two of them lie on either side of her curving forehead.

Celyz starts examining the crown with her tendrils in the same way her sister had but definitely being more careful and restrained about it. She finally takes a deep inhalation. She remains kneeling as she is so I let my hand trail down along the side of her neck, making her tremble under my touch.

“It smells slightly of you.” She sighs, making me furiously blush as I expected her to comment on the flowers.