Admittedly, I wanted to train all night. To swing the sword around like a little boy with his new toy, trying out ever possible combination, tactic, or idea that popped into my head. But dinnertime had come. I needed to bring Ivy to Janril and get her fitted for some clothes. I also had to meet Pandemonium soonish? She hadn’t been too specific, but it was definitely soonish. And so, regretfully, I willed the gauntlet away.

It did so slowly, like ice melting under the sun as more and more skin steadily revealed itself. The roots embedded in my arm pulled out. It felt weird. Disturbing, a little, to see the tiny tendrils sliding out of my body; little writhing worms being plucked, leaving red marks that bore no blood. A rash more than anything.

Macsen offered a nervous laugh, “I rather have a stone stuck in me than those things… buddy.”

“They are a bit uncanny.”

“A bit?” he asked with a shiver

“Quite a bit…” I said. We both nodded in agreement. I glanced at Ivy and Ditto who were still playing in a… flower garden?! The clover patch they had sat in was gone, replaced by a luscious display of brilliant colors adorning a plethora of blooms. Bell-shaped flowers, yellowish ones that held the shape of pine trees, and even a swirly purple oddity that reminded me of a cinnamon bun. They were just a few amongst the many delicate oddities I had never beheld before.

Ivy sat next to Ditto amongst the flowers, pointing at the different ones and speaking their names… though “nnnn” was by no means a proper language and I doubted ‘Blue Pretty Bell’ was the officially recognized name. Macsen pat my shoulder.

“Like I said, she’s cute. I’m happy for ya, buddy,” with a thumb’s up he gave me some TV-host grin.

“A million dollar smile…” I thought aloud.

“A what?”

“Nothing. I need to go to the clothing shop to get Ivy fitted. You, on the other hand, likely want to eat.”

“And drink,” he added with a kiddish smile.

I sighed, absently tugging on my now sweaty clothing. “You already suffered from one hangover today. You wish to dive headfirst into another?”

“Life is too short, buddy. I only got another hundred fifty years tops. A bachelor like myself has gotta live it up!” He clapped his hands together twice and rubbed them. Dipping his head he sent up a prayer, “May my goddess forgive me.”

‘I don’t think she actually cares,’ I almost said aloud, but caught myself. I then asked, “And one hundred and fifty years? Are you drinking Mer blood?” According to Chaos, that was one of the main ways humans prolonged their lives.

He shook his head, “Nah. That doesn’t sit right with me. Even through the official, ethical sellers I still feel bad for drinking blood. So I learned some Chi techniques to slow the aging process.” He pat his chest proudly, “Gotta keep these babies for as long as possible.”

“Of course. Would you perhaps lend me those techniques someday?” I asked.

He grinned and chuckled, “And gladly do it, buddy… but, seeing as you’re already a mage, you and Chi don’t get along well.”

I internally cursed myself for forgetting such an important thing, ‘Normal people cannot excel at both Mana and Chi. That is going to be hard to hide from others…’ I nodded and answered, “Of course. Nevertheless, I would greatly appreciate seeing it… as a personal curiosity instead of application.”

“Sure thing, buddy!” He nodded and tossed his thumb toward the Bessy Barstool. “Well, if ya don’t have need of me for now, I’m heading back for that fresh food carrying on the wind.” He sniffed loudly, “Haaaa… smells great, don’t it?”

I took a sniff too. Lavish meats and warm, honeyed treats flowed into my senses, causing my stomach to rumble in desire.

“Indeed, Macsen, it smells delicious. Enjoy.”

“I will!” He skipped toward the bar happily. “See ya Ditto, Ivy.”

“Nnnn!” Ivy smiled and waved him farewell.

“Now then, Ivy… how about those clothes?” I asked, smiling as she leaped up excitedly. She swept up Ditto into her arms and ran over to me.

“Nnnn! Haann! Loaths!” she sang happily, bouncing in front of me.

“Yes, clothes!” I clapped my hands, chuckling, and she winked.

While things were awkward with Janril, understandably so, she apologized and naturally I readily forgave her; without suggesting that it had been my fault in the first place. She didn’t need to know. So, I didn’t tell her.

I spent the next hour enjoying Ivy’s antics as she pet every fabric, marveling at their comforting touch. Every shred of clothing threatened to be worn by her, from dresses to hats to socks on her arms, with Ivy trying on everything Janril would let her. In between the exploration, Ivy barely held still long enough to be measured.

It was fun to watch.

Once finished, we headed back toward the bar with Ivy sporting a fresh new blouse and skirt of purple and white. They were thin, tight, and showed the slightest hint of her cleavage. I would have preferred no cleavage at all since I didn’t want anyone else seeing it, but Ivy had chosen it specifically for its comfortableness and agility. And what Ivy chose… I chose. The rest of her clothing would be ready in a few days.

I also got her some boots, but she refused to wear them as insisted it was unnatural. It made sense. An Alraune was connected with nature. With the earth. Walking across the earth without touching it would be downright unpleasant. Unnatural. I understood that enough to not press the matter.

“Do you want to take a bath later?” I asked as we came up to the Bessy.

“Nmmm… nnn mmm…” she mumbled and quickly shook her head. She didn’t want to. And didn’t need to. It seemed the Alraune’s body naturally cleaned itself, taking in the dirt, grime, sweat, and then expelling it through their roots periodically. Convenient.

A thought crossed my mind, “Wait… do you even have to use the bathroom then?”

“Nnnn nnn!” She shook her head proudly.

“How fortunate for you…” I pat her head and opened the door. It was rather full. The tables held patrons drinking it up in silence. A few murmured and muttered, the noise only broken by the thwack of a mug being harshly set against the table. Eyes looked at us while we entered. A few smiled. Others dipped their heads in respect. Still others just frowned or looked away.

‘I wonder how much the Larws spoke of me…’ We walked in and found an empty table to sit at. Off to the side, Macsen sat with some others and busily downed mug after mug. He was going to be in pain tonight.

“Sir Chaon, Miss Ivy,” a familiar voice spoke. I looked up to see Croon standing before out table. His features were lax, still not happy, but not as depressed as before. Ivy smiled and waved.

I offered a smile as well, “Good evening. How are you feeling?”

“Better, thank ya. I’ll take yer order… and was hoping ya’d help me with a little something,” he said.

“And that would be?”

“Anniate.” He glanced back at a corner table where a lone young woman sat drinking.

From the way her head hung low and the desperation in which she hugged the shadows… ‘She obviously wants to be alone. I don’t really want to deal with this right now… but sooner than later is probably better.’

“Your suggestion?” I asked. My mind whirred with possible ideas for how to approach Anniate. Apologize? Make light of the issue? Ignore it entirely? Maybe invite her to eat with Ivy, Ditto, and I? That seemed like a good course of action. Ivy had a way of charming people, so maybe she could help.

Croon shook his head, “I barely manage my own woman, sir Chaon… my thoughts on the matter don’t mean much.”

“I understand. Please bring Ivy some fruit. I would like anything hearty. And if Miss Anniate has not eaten yet…” I said, noticing that Croon shook his head at that. “Then bring her favorite meal to our table as well.”

“I will. Thank ya, sir Chaon.”

“Thank you, Mister Croon.” We both dipped our heads and he headed off. I turned to Ivy and pointed at Anniate, “Would you like to go meet her? Admittedly, I could use the help.” Ivy just smiled and nodded, standing. I could feel her desire to help me. If that meant helping the sad girl, then she would happily do so.

I stood as well. Thinking. Ivy liked people… and yet, the feelings I got from her were an odd contrast. She saw those other than those close to me as being almost like… not enemies, but not deserving of friends either. A dismissal where Ivy wasn’t rude or mean to them, but wasn’t willing to risk her summoner’s happiness for their sake. I could feel it so clearly. I even knew that if someone crossed us, she would have no qualms with slaying them in my defense. And yet, her natural kindness and vivid joy shone through and made her seem like an adorably sweet woman who loved everyone deeply.

‘Kind of like how I seem to be a noble guy… when really I’m out for self and my summons…’ I shrugged a little and took Ivy’s hand. She led me over.

When we neared, Anniate noticed our approach and looked up. Her features contorted in horror and she rose to hurry away; though the only way out was really through Ivy and I. I pondered on the approach. The way to ease the sudden tension that swirled around the girl. If I said the wrong thing… irreparable damage could occur, and an awkwardness would exist between Anniate and I throughout my stay. Not the most awful fate. But, one I wished to avoid.

My mind raced with thoughts. Those same questions I had asked myself before. I didn’t know how to approach the subject. What to say. There were so many words that could be said… ‘What about… hey Anniate? No, that’s far too familiar and forthcoming. Maybe the polite… how do you fare this eve? Well… that’s pretty dumb since I can clearly see she’s not fairing well at all. Heck, maybe I should just ask her about the weather?’

Ivy, without a second thought, stepped up to Anniate and grabbed her hand. It shocked both Anniate and I to silence.

“Nnn! Eee… t!” the Alraune said with her enchantingly cheerful grin. “Kk… ooommm.” She pulled Anniate along without a word. With her free hand, Ivy grabbed mine and pulled me along as well. She hummed a little as she walked, excited to have a guest over to the table.

“…but…” Anniate whispered, not resisting, but obviously wanting to leave.

“Miss Anniate, when Ivy decides on something, I find it best to surrender to her whims,” I said with a light chuckle. I could feel the warmth and admiration beating in my chest. It felt like falling in love with Ivy all over again. I added, “Even the staunchest tree must, at times, bow to the wind.”

Anniate just nodded, looking down. We arrived at the table and Ivy let both of us go. Before Anniate could escape, Ivy wrapped her in a friendly hug, pat her back comfortingly, and then held her at arm’s length as they looked at each other.

“Iee… veee,” she said, then pointing toward herself.

A smile hinted on Anniate’s face. “Ivy… I’m Anniate.”

That dinner, I was reminded how much women could talk. And as the translator for Ivy, I talked a lot, till my throat was sore and my ears practically bled from the noise. My head hurt too. From boredom, the chatter, and the seemingly incessant conversations about clothes and different apparel. I had to scarf down the food before me just to eat it while it was still warm. Even then, I still had lukewarm mashed potatoes thanks to Ivy’s description of the clothing she had ordered.

And it went on.

And on.

And on.

Till finally Croon rescued me from it. He guided Anniate away and finally I could breathe and drink again, though my ears had no rest as Ivy excitedly chatted about Anniate and the things Anniate had told her… as if I hadn’t been forced to listen through the entire conversation.

Around nine at my guess, I held a finger to her lips to silence her. “It seems you have made a friend.”

Ivy bobbed her head happily, “Nnnn!”

“I am happy for you. But now, let’s get some rest. You can talk to her tomorrow…” I added the last bit as incentive. I was exhausted; eyes drooping, head foggy, body made of lead. Ivy, on the other hand, had napped and was as energetic as a bumblebee within the Garden of Eden.

Still, she nodded and hopped up. Sensing my weariness she helped pull me up. She even carried Ditto while leading me to our room. I wanted to bathe… but opted to do it in the morning. I just needed some sleep. In a bed! A real bed… it would be glorious!

‘Especially with Ivy near…’ I paused a moment as Ivy opened the door leading in. It was to be my third night sleeping next to Ivy. This time on a real bed. A surge of thoughts gushed in. I looked her over quickly. I loved the way the clothes clung to her so tightly… I had seen her naked, but with the clothes, they only made my imagination spin in delight. It would be dream-like to slowly peel them off her. To ravish her gently while letting the night tick slowly be while we lost ourselves in each other’s embrace.

I was tired. But there was no way I was going to let the chance pass by. We could-

“Training!” I blurted out suddenly, smacking myself in the head. I had training that night with Pandemonium! She had specified to meet her at my room at sun’s fall? Well, it was far passed that. I hoped she wasn’t angry. She wasn’t here… though maybe she was going to come in a dream? Goddesses could do that… But maybe I could postpone it just long enough to have a first time with Ivy? ‘No no no no… postponing a goddess’ goodwill is a bad idea. Not to mention training is far more important than… having fun with Ivy.’ My shoulders drooped and I sighed. ‘Dangit…’

Ivy cocked her head curiously and pet my head, “Nnnnhaaa?”

“I am fine. Let’s get to bed…” I smiled and stepped in, pulling her along with me and guiding her to the chest. I showed her how to disrobe and how to fold clothing; which proved a terrible challenge for me as I barely kept my eyes on the folding since they constantly slid to Ivy’s form. Janril had given her smaller undergarments to try out. To get used to. Something more comfortable. Purple, thin things more meant for the eroticism than the practicality… and the way the material clung to every contour certainly delighted the erotic tendencies.

I could feel Chaon junior perking up. How I wanted to grasp her. To hold her close. To breath of her scent and lose myself in her.

“I’m going to sleep!” I quickly announced. Giving the confused woman a quick kiss, I tossed off my shirt and slid into bed, all the while thinking of big, burly, hairy goats in my attempt to calm down.

It worked.

I woke to a soothing voice shivering in my ear. “Late… late you are. Suns rise and kingdoms fall, all to the beat of time’s whims. The clock does not wait. The water still flows. Hours passed by as fish swimming to ocean free, with glee, jubilee, to the endless sea. Yet you are behind…” her voice moved to my other ear, “The slowest fish becomes morn meal for bears ahunger.”

“I am sorry…” I said, slowly rising and opening my eyes. The room was gone. My bed was gone. Replaced by a world of swirling visions and scenes. A waterfall to my left, its mist forming into a wave crashing against a tiny jungle filled with miniature mountains and rivers and endless trees. The splinters from the flood tossed up, forming buildings, a city, to my right that began to crumble the more I craned my neck. The stones and wood turned to dust, flowing to ashes, and forming into rain that fed the waterfall. I stayed silent, just taking it all in.

“I doth forgive you…” she kissed my cheek, her petal-soft lips leaving a pleasant burn there. Instinctively I touched the spot. A giggle delighted my ears and she tapped the tip of my nose. “Focus now. A week to pass before Kamra’s last, whence she falls with her thralls, to when step upon her head and assure her dead. Thine victory you shall earn thineself.”

“One week?! Only?” A sense of dread fell over me. I thought of asking if I could flee, but I knew the answer. Chaos would push me into the fight one way or another.

Her hands slid along my bare shoulders gently, “One week. Seven days of twenty-four. Their weave is long, stretched. Doth offer much, those seven things. And we shall bind them to you so that may it be, when battle befalls, thee shall rise above all.” Before I could respond, she added, “Remember pray, that my hand in battle stay, for I cannot intervene or stand to be seen. Through thine own might must you win. For mine hand to warp fate would be sin. Though… though agony doth it pain me, all I offer is instruction… the ability to knowledge see.”

I looked around, trying to see her, but failed. “So… you will not intervene in my battles no matter what?”

“Less Chaos tries. If so, shall I come. But only then,” she said sadly.

‘So she takes a hands-off approach. I wish Chaos was more like her…’ I waved it off and smiled, “I understand. Thank you for training me. It will go a long ways to help.”

Her voice brightened, “For mine sun, mine only one, help shalt be done.”

A thought crossed my mind. “What if Chaos speeds things up? So that Kamra arrives sooner than a week?”

“Eyes. Senses. Bated breaths in wretched halls doth I watch. If she comes. Slinks her powers to redirect fate’s call… I shall stop her.” She hugged me from behind, pressing against me while her hands playfully roamed my muscles. “Think not of her. Not of existence. Think of me. Thine time here. Look to the mirror, and beside you I stand. Relish in me whilst mine knowledge pour, allowing you to soar, to live much more… to strengthen thine core…” Her finger drew hearts over my heart.

I swallowed a bit, trying not to let my previous lusts build again. Feeling her pressed against me. The warmth of her skin, the touch of her hands, her breath tickling my ear… I was already horny before going to sleep. Now, all that pent up desire was wanting to burst. I secretly thanked Pandemonium for keeping invisible, because if she wasn’t, I wouldn’t be able to resist getting turned on. I pictured her as beautiful. More so than Chaos. Admittedly, I wanted to see her. But now was not the time.

I nodded, “Let’s begin then.”

“Yes… let’s.”

Every shadow caused my heart to flutter. To spin like the peppercorn flowers falling off the trees just before Winter. I tried to be brave. Tried. But that proved too difficult. I jumped at the slightest sounds; even the echo of my own steps. Every shifting shadow demanded my eyes. I hung to the windows as much as possible, relishing in the faint light streaming through. They barely helped though.

While I walked, I constantly wished to be home. To be outside. Anywhere but there. To just be safe. Or at least, to be allowed a lantern or even a candle… but no, they didn’t allow it. They punished anyone who carried lights. Punished with prejudice. Two days prior Markus had just used a match while looking for a cat… and as far as I knew, he had been harvested that very same day as punishment.

Harvested. Turned into dinner.

Thinking of that only made my nerves shakier. My heart skipped and bounced about, a fearful fawn wishing for escape but finding none due to the high fences trapping it. My hands shook. My chest tensed, making it hard to breath. It felt like a bodice my aunt had once forced me to wear. I near fainted from suffocation.

I felt like fainting at that moment. But, I needed to deliver the vase to Lady Kamra or risk her ire.

And then it happened. A shadow nearby shifted. I jumped. My arm jerked and the vase happily slid out.

In desperate horror, I reached for it. My fingers brushed against the painted clay. But only brushed.

A crash echoed through the halls.

Water splayed across the floor like moonlit blood. The flowers fell. Their petals bending. They stilled. They smelled of lilacs and lilies. I imagined them as pieces of my skull dipped in my blood… the punishment for my mistake. Surely.

I wanted to cry. To run. To curl up in a corner and wait for the sunrise to rescue me from the horrible nightmare. Maybe it was a nightmare. Maybe… but I knew it wasn’t. It was real.

“Ooooops,” a woman’s voice sounded behind me, causing me to jump again. My heart thundered inside my head. I clutched my hands together and fearfully looked to her. Instantly I was relieved. It was just another maid; though I didn’t recognize her. She smirked a little and pointed at the shattered vase, “Nice job.”

I looked down, saying nothing. Lowering to my knees, I carefully began collecting the pieces and placed them in a pile. I didn’t know what punishment was coming… but it would be bad. I would never see the sun again.

“Hey there, what’s your name?” She asked. She plopped down onto her knees without an ounce of dignity, grace, or care. She began picking up the pieces as well.

“Riarii…” I whispered. I didn’t intend to whisper… but the knowledge of my doom made it hard to talk. Why was I even picking this up? Maybe in hopes they would spare my life? Maybe? Though that hope was absurd.

“Hi there, Riarii. Say, can you do me a huuuuge, awesome, big favor and show me to Kamra… I mean, Lady Kamra’s room? I need to deliver a quick message,” she said nonchalantly.

I didn’t understand why she wanted to know… or why a maid didn’t know already, but I just nodded.

She grinned, “Thanks. I’ve been looking foreeever and dang, this place is big. I knew these mansions were too big to be useful, but holy crab slathered on a cracker of cheese!” She nodded to herself, “Big place. I wish they had some convenient map or something… I probably should have charted it out beforehand… though I didn’t get the chance. Never know where that brat is…”

She was confusing me. I didn’t understand what she was even talking about. Crab on cheese? Charted the mansion? What brat? Why? What?

My thoughts were interrupted by a distant voice, “What are you two doing?!” I winced. It was a man’s voice. Two pairs of footsteps clopped against the marble floor. Hastened. Guards. Surely. They walked up and I kept my head down, trying to force myself not to shiver. The other maid looked up at them. I couldn’t… I hated their red eyes. And the teeth. Those… moonlit fangs, tips waiting to dig into flesh.

“You stupid pigs!” One said, hissing. “How dare you break Master Kamra’s property!”

“Which of you did this?!” The other roared. My heart jumped in my chest. Tears wet my cheeks. They were angry. They would kill me. Or worse.

The maid answered, “Me. What of it?”

I looked up, shocked. The two guards held equal expressions. They hadn’t expected that response. The maid just propped a hand on her hip and smirked.

“You dare mock us, you whoring naif!” The closest guard lunged forward in a blur. He reached for her. Her arm short out and grabbed him by the throat. Before either could blink, she surged forward and grabbed the other by his throat too.

Holding them both in front of her, she grinned, “Do you two like games? Of course you do! Now why don’t you two go take a nice swim underwater? See how long you can last before drowning?” Her eyes shifted. One turned to a glowing white, rivaling the moons for its purity. The other black; a fearsome maw of nothingness that ate the light. “Now go. Have fun now… and make sure it’s in the deepest part of the lake.”

“Swimming…” one mumbled.

“Swimming… yes master…” the other nodded. The maid let them go. They stood. Turned. And walked off without another word.

The maid huffed and crossed her arms while watching them go; her eyes shifting back to their brownish color. “That’s what you get for being so rude. Stupid mortal punks. Think they own the world just because their eyes glow red and they are sorta strong. For a mule, maybe.”

She looked at me. I scooted back. Terror pulsed through me. She wasn’t a maid at all! She was… something else…

“Okay Riarii, I’ll tell you what. You show me to Kamra and I’ll keep this mess our little secret,” she motioned toward the vase. “Deal?”

It took me a moment to decide. I didn’t know who she was… but this was a chance to survive! I wasn’t going to lose it. I quickly nodded.

“That’s good, my cute little danish roll.” She waved her hand and the vase pieces formed back together. The flowers burst in bloom. The water stretched across the air, arcing into the vase and filling it. It… it became as before. She offered it to me. “There, all done. Now stand up, I’m on a timer… gotta race the clock… basically.”

Scrambling to my feet, I quickly accepted the vase from her and pointed down the hall. “This way…” I started walking with a quick gait. She matched my step.

“Good. So, no need to be too freaked out. I’m no one special… sort of. Well, kind of. Okay, I’m actually super special, amazing, stupendous, and all that.” She thought for a moment, then crossed her arms and frowned. She began babbling as we walked, “And what’s with those stupid jerky trolls? They called me a whoring naif… how dare I? No, how dare they! Stinking slime balls… heh, pancake batter. Anywho, speaking of annoying pancake batter, there’s this one chick whose ruining all my plans. Puts me in a bad mood…”

She tapped her chin a few times in thought. I said nothing, listening barely, mostly just praying that she didn’t take out her frustrations on me.

“You know, you humans got it pretty rough. These forms are terrible. I could not live, cooould not live like this. I mean, boring, annoying, weak.” Her hand swished through the air, “I personally hate it, but hey, ya gotta do what ya gotta do sometimes. She keeps sensing my movements, so right now I’m incognito. Like a spy… well, not quite.” She suddenly grinned and motioned toward herself, “How do I look?”

“…very pretty…” I said, offering a compliment. It was honest. The form was of a very cute brown haired young woman. For a moment, I wished I could match her appearance…

She nodded happily, “You betcha I am! I can’t be anything less. Say, have you ever thought about how apples must feel when placed in apple pie? I mean, think about it… you’re diced up, sprinkled with spices, and then forced into a crust and cooked! That would suck… though being drowned in sugar wouldn’t be bad. Being mashed up would be. So there are definite positives and negatives.” I just nodded, not even trying to process her words.

“And… we’re here?” she suddenly asked as we came up to the large double doors, built of carved mahogany, and blocking off Lady Kamra’s personal room from the rest of the mansion. She rarely left it. Her books were her world… not the actual world.

“Yes ma’am,” I nodded quickly.

“Yes ma’am? Well aren’t you adorable?” She chuckled and tickled under my chin before knocking on the door, her voice shifting to something passive. Subservient. “Milady?”

“Who doth disturb mine sanctum?” a beautifully smooth and powerful voice asked. I always liked her voice. It was fearsome… and yet sounded like cream. I was certain she would be a beautiful singer if not for her horrid personality.

“I bear a message… from the Thailkteyeer,” she replied.

The Thailkteyeer? I had never heard the term before. Was it some sort of foreign dignitary?

To my utter surprise, the doors cracked open and Kamra’s eyes stared out at us, the fiery crimson glowing as if a colored flame in the night. She looked the maid over.

“A form not of thine own clothe thineself in. What be thine true form?”

The maid chuckled and waved it off, switching back to her normal voice. “Not important. Like I said, I have a message. Here’s your proof.” Her eyes switched to one white, the other black again.

Kamra gasped lightly in surprise, then nodded, “It hath been proven.”

“Good.” With a clap of her hands, she said, “Now then, the lovely Thailkteyeer is growing anxious. He really, really wants to have that dual with you as soon as possible. Waiting a week is far too long, so he sent me to try and see if you’d come earlier. And bring as many friends as you want. The more the merrier!”

“When?”

The maid grinned and shrugged, “Well… if it’s good with you, how about tomorrow?”