--- Little Sis POV

All of her patient listening to Miraphine led to this point. I thought us clever describing detail, delaying the end, stringing out the story until House of Burning Fang insists on our return. The Matriarch has no or little interest in the end, the events surrounding Saida’s death her true goal, the reveal of her manipulation making my heart skip a beat.

“I thought to shelter you from further pain Matriarch.”

Clever girl Miraphine, crossing my fingers the response enough to ease us out of this bramble.

“Stupid girl I am not mourning or hurting due to her death, I am livid by the disrespect shown to me and my House, an assassin believing they can escape my wrath. A total disregard for the doom they have invited upon themselves and any associated with this disrespectful and cowardly act. Nothing will save them from my vengeance.”

Her words emotionless, cold. A shiver runs down my spine. Miraphine draws herself up, maintaining a poise in the face of such a threat and continues to tell the story of Alasse. This fatalistic bravado when faced with death before a Matriarch must be a Snake Kin thing. Acceptance of the end and running full forward, totally the opposite to the start where Miraphine’ fear evident and still believing escape possible.

“Only a Matriarch can instant call forth her Element, what Element though causes such a death without evidence … there were Matriarchs present …”

Miraphine pauses. We must share the same thought, where is the question?

“How many other Matriarchs were present?”

“Many and immediate suspicion fell upon them Matriarch Naesatra, yet no one knew their Elemental Proficiency, the likes of fire, cold, air would require visible assault and would quickly exonerate any Matriarch with any of those Elements. None volunteered. When the last surviving escort of Saida’s joined Alasse, no one remained to investigate.”

Lightning blue snakeskin glowering, her need to scream, shout, rant and rave a certainty and yet Matriarch Naesatra chooses to manifest her frustration upon the carriage door. The maddening, tightening grip of the Matriarch’s hands upon the carriage door window frame a remarkable display of control.

“Saida was instructed to remove Alasse, the motive clear and yet the assassination method an impossibility. Saida dropping dead, possibly fate, the other as well, deliberate, clearly deliberate … the name of the survivor?”

Miraphine glances toward me and I nod.

“Azarya.”

I lean my back up against the carriage, rocking the contraption and swiftly apologising, so tired.

Miraphine, at a loss continues her story telling, translating most of Alasse’s sermons into inspiring speeches about how conquering the Dungeon will bring great reward and renown. She describes several forays into the Dungeon, which I think are variations on her Questor Group attempts, none of Alasse’s Group, all to fill in time. The circle of wagons back on the trail by this time, with dusk and their destination fast approaching.

“Enough for now and by the way you are my guests, any mutterings to the contrary and you will pay one by one, if not now than in the future, mark my words.” She claps her hands. “Now that business is done with, make yourselves ready. You will be assigned a modest tent, don’t make me regret this dispensation.”

---

With our tent partially erect, Taha and I crawl in, spread our bedrolls, and fall asleep.

Someone shakes my shoulder. “Prophet we have been summoned.” Faybeth, I am certain it is Faybeth and I roll over. A skin of water is put to my lips and I drink deeply, moving my face at the end to splash myself awake.

“Come on Little Sis, our moment to shine or perish.” A broad happy go lucky smile greets me as I set my waking eyes upon my sister. She offers me her hand which I take, boosting me to my feet. Faybeth presents me with a fresh robe, which I quickly accept and change into, my trail weary underclothes need to endure.

Taha and Faybeth escort me out of the tent, where our companions patiently wait for us.

A hiss, “Fall into line.” Barald more willing than any of us leads off and like weary drunks we stumble after. A few of the Snake Kin eye me up and down, shaking their heads. Perhaps as leader I am expected to be at the front of the line.

“They expect me or perhaps you to lead, not a Bear Kin, Prophet,” whispers Miraphine, confirming my errant thought.

I whisper back, “You alright?”

“Yes, although I wonder how I avoided a whipping.”

“Simple really, I asked Adept Taha to pray to our Goddess to pass a message to Adept Yinrel. You are under her protection.”

Miraphine is unsuccessful in trying to stifle a sneaky full laugh. Who said Snake Kin have no room for humour?

---

I can’t help but stare. Campfires illuminate and mark the perimeter of a huge clearing while lanterns like twinkling jewels surround each of the Matriarchs under the night sky. A cool, dry breeze blows across the ground making for the perfect meeting venue. As we approach, our pace cautious, the Matriarch of House Silver Scale squats on a dais on our right, the Matriarch of House Burning Fang lounges on our left, the top and bottom respectively of the jaws of death. I don’t march to the middle, stopping short to ensure both Matriarchs remain in my peripheral vision, Taha on my right and Miraphine on my left. Barald towers behind me, with Faybeth on his right. Macer and Broken Lance hold our flanks, left and right respectfully. I hear Macer growl once and then silence.

“I bid you welcome Nami, Prophet of the Goddess Aphrodite.” Matriarch Yinrel raises her hand to support her words.

“I feel the warmth of your welcome and rejoice,” I reply plainly, not wishing to embellish the words overly.

“Observe Prophet, crates of wine!” Matriarch Yinrel throws back a heavy cover to reveal seven, no eight crates of wine. My eyebrows narrow, while Matriarch Naesatra relaxes her posture. She thought lurking underneath the canvas a deadly secret of some sort, not harmless wine.

“Can I enquire as to how you obtained them?”

She smiles as only one who has eaten the best portion of a meal can. “I sent my warriors out the night you left with orders to wait upon any Badger Kin travelling the converging trails to Quest Town and wonder of wonder they return with a bounty cheaply purchased.”

“No one pays for wine,” offers Matriarch Naesatra with a snap to the words.

“I will admit they also paid for mead by mistake, but to them a bottle is a bottle.”

I hear Barald smack his lips together and inwardly smirk. “Matriarch, if you would permit, I am sure my companion Barald Bear Kin would pay you a fair price for at least one bottle of mead.”

She nods, holding two bottles, which a guard hands off to me and I pass back to Barald. “Payment for a service yet to be rendered, dear Prophet. Which of these crates contain my wine?”

“We have an expert with us.” I swivel and kneel in front of Faybeth. “Are you ready to do your part?”

“Yes Prophet, apart from healing my Sett is well known for our wines, I should be able to identify a suitable wine if one has been purchased.”

“Good.” I stand and make way for Faybeth.

Her quiet voice crackles, “Matriarch, do you still have the original bottle?”

Yinrel leans back on her lounge and snaps her fingers and a youngling Snake Kin delivers the bottle. Faybeth reads the label several times, nodding occasionally. She realises this is a performance which requires flourishes and decorum. Advancing towards the crates, she completes the same inspection. None hurry her, there is complete silence. Matriarch Naesatra glances about, readjusts cushions, faking to tear one and for all that remaining quiet, impotent to disturb the proceedings. Treating her fellow Matriarch with respect however tedious.

“Matriarch Yinrel, your bottle originates from a different Sett to these, so a perfect match is out of the question.” She holds her paw up stifling any response. “There is one blend though, which is similar, soil type, time to ferment, light grapes. The only doubt is the barrel wood and some difference in additives. I can only suggest you try and determine for yourself if your palate rejoices or not.”

“Would you do me the honour of opening and pouring?”

Faybeth nods, taking the smallest wine glass I know from one of her pockets placing it upon a nearby crate which she adopts as a table. She then takes a screw like device and plunges it into the cork of the bottle, twisting only so far and then tugging. With a pop and without spilling a drop of wine the cork comes away.

“You need to take care none of the cork falls into the bottle and the metal of the cork screw doesn’t sink so deeply to be washed with wine.”

Matriarch Yinrel nods wisely, while Faybeth pours. The Badger Kin sips, swills, and then spits out. Yinrel pulls back until Faybeth takes the Matriarch’s wine glass.

“The wine is sound Matriarch. Occasionally a bottle will fail for various reasons, best to sample first before setting a table and pouring several glasses and inadvertently insulting your guests.”

“Very true,” murmurs the Matriarch.

Faybeth, swirls the one third full wine glass, holding it against the lantern light, finally nodding to herself. Standing, she formally presents the glass to the Matriarch. “Sip, swill to test upon your palate.”

Matriarch Yinrel sips holding her verdict back. She swills and her eyes glaze over in pleasure, the only sign and too brief unless someone like me deliberately sweats on the tell.

“An adequate substitute, I thank-you and declare the two bottles of mead fair payment.” She reclines back on her stone lounge placing the wine glass upon the attached shelf.

Matriarch Naesatra narrows her eyes before relaxing and about to speak ...

“Matriarch Naesatra, may I offer you wine?” The question stalls her thought and I swoop. “A gift from Saida in fact.” Her eyes bare down upon me. “Alasse insisted we take the bottle with us. So certain we would meet you, given our proclamation to visit all the cities of the Empire.”

Upon the raised makeshift dais, the Matriarch squirms amongst her pillows. Does she accept detestable wine, possibly a false gift anyway and honour her fallen adjutant which is somewhat expected? Does she reject the gift, suspicious of Alasse, Daughter of House Burning Fang and her motives and possible involvement in the demise of Saida which may inadvertently insult the Matriarch smiling across from her. Many eyes are upon her and with each passing heartbeat the pressure mounts.

“Wine is a hideous drink and yet you say my former Adjutant selected the wine for me? How would my former Daughter know my tastes and yet I would be small not to accept her final parting gift.” With a flourish she opens both of her hands.

Clever, she covers her distaste of wine yet grandstands, willing to make the noble sacrifice to try a drop in fond memory of friendship and loyalty now stolen.

Taha utilising both of her hands places the remaining bottle and wine glass from her pouch into Faybeth’s care. The Badger Kin does us proud repeating, word for word and action for action the show she put on for Matriarch Yinrel, for Matriarch Naesatra.

Matriarch Naesatra’s introduction to a wine which suits her palate is dramatic. Her eyes roll back, and I believe she releases a purr of pleasure more appropriately expressed in her private chambers than in a meeting between Matriarchs of two powerful Snake Kin Houses. To her credit she refrains from taking another sip.

Faybeth returns to her place amongst us while we await the Matriarch’s response.

“Satisfactory,” she says once her composure returns.

“Matriarch Naesatra, what do you know of your Adjutant and my Daughter?” asks Matriarch Yinrel.

“Our agreement, Saida would renounce her and order her to return to you for discipline which didn’t occur, hence our journey together to investigate.”

So, this is how Matriarchs play, Naesatra privy to Saida’s demise and possible suspects and yet not revealing this to Yinrel.

“If any of our guests have witnessed their meeting, I demand they speak now.” Matriarch Yinrel especially singles out Miraphine with her staring, which I urged Taha in her message to our Goddess to relay.

Miraphine nods. “I am a witness and will reveal what I observed.”

Worshipper to worshipper, Matriarch Yinrel is treated to the absolute truth, perhaps for the first time in her entire life and that revelation alone maintains her interest. The fact Alasse survived the encounter and Saida didn’t caused no obvious distress. I now suspect the Matriarch knew her Daughter very well and if no Daughters of her House supported any documentation presented, Alasse wouldn’t meekly accept demotion and the shame of returning, which turned out to be the case. The Matriarch of House Burning Fang of course, remaining innocent of all blame.

“Did any read the fallen parchment?” asks Matriarch Naesatra.

“None that I saw Matriarch, it could still be there or buried with the last holder, none showed any interest once matters moved on. I am sorry for your loss,” finishes Miraphine.

Matriarch Naesatra catches Matriarch Yinrel with her accusing eyes. “You said sending representatives from your own House would add confusion to the situation and yet their very absence seems to have been the catalyst for your Daughter’s doubt. She would be incapable though … perhaps one of her allied Matriarchs struck Saida and her escort on her behalf and yet to pay no attention to the document, call it false immediately?”

“I didn’t expect her to be so volatile, my suspicions arose of course as her reports back fewer and brief when they did arrive … which is why I agreed to her removal …” Yinrel adds, swaying her head side to side.

“Saida and her escort slain so quickly, so cleanly. Their deaths will not be easily accepted by me or my House. Neither will the traitor Azarya easily escape my wrath.” Naesatra rips apart a pillow between her hands.

“If I can ease your path, I declare Alasse banished, no longer a Daughter of House Burning Fang, her actions and the consequences of them will be her own to pay for.”

A torn half of a pillow in each hand Matriarch Naesatra looks up, jaws ajar, top, and bottom teeth on display. “You would do that? I mean, most gracious of you …”

“I thought her potential great, one for me to watch in case she decided herself ready before I did …”

Naesatra throws the two halves behind her and folds her arms in front. “Would she be able to instant cast her Element?”

Without hesitation, Yinrel replies, “She couldn’t when she left and given her duties when would she be able to practice and meditate?”

I observe the cat and mouse game, Yinrel fully aware Alasse is now her High Priestess and yet still playing at ignorance, referring to past knowledge as if still truth.

“Perhaps this Dungeon has played a part in the rapid growth of her potential … why such a focus for her as evidenced by the lack of reporting back and the like …” Naesatra mumbles her thoughts aloud.

Matriarch Yinrel for her part spares a leisurely moment of eye contact with Faybeth. The Matriarch then gracefully lifts a grate of wine making her way to Naesatra’s dais. Not until she plonks it upon the platform does Naesatra hiss and draw back. Her guards, obviously not bold enough to intercept the encroaching House Burning Fang Matriarch.

“My wine expert tells me this wine could be similar to your dear Adjutant’s gift bottle. They are yours as my gift. I have decided to return home as Alasse is lost to me so my House has no business in Quest Town now and I swear upon my House I will not try to gain from your absence.” Yinrel holds out her hand.

Naesatra inspects the offering and leaning forward thrusts her hand out to close the handshake, lingering before releasing.

Yinrel nods and sashays back to her low lounge and wine.

Naesatra finally finds her voice and calls out, “So our business is concluded, you to return home and me to wreak vengeance upon Alasse and Azarya?”

Yinrel raises her wine glass in salute and takes another sip while lounging back in sweet repose.

“Um, where would I acquire such a piece of furniture?”

Opening a lazy eye, Yinrel points at my sister. Naesatra bobs her head, “Would I be able to impose …”

Taha nods and approaches Naesatra, waving a hand, hinting for the Matriarch to give up her dais. Confirming stone is underneath, my sister stands. “Your furniture will be ready for you in the morning before your departure.”

Naesatra slightly bows, flicks a hand at one of her guards to collect the crate of wine and then slithers back to her camp, her entourage in tow. Once the guests are shadows in the night Yinrel’s guards smother the campfires in dirt and stay on watch. We approach the Matriarch of House Burning Fang.

She replaces her sweet repose with a no-nonsense business demeanour. “I played my part, the good loyal worshipper following orders, what is my reward?”

I reply, “Knowing you have served your Goddess well … is there more you expect?”

Her tongue darts out, front fangs dripping with what I can only assume is venom. “Yes, I expect more …” Each word snaps out with a hiss.

“You are in luck then … your House will not need to try and gain from House Silver Scale because those who remain will want what you can offer …”

Her eyes shine like black jewels, deep, dark, and hungry. “Explain.”

“To honour your Goddess you are going to build a Cathedral, the effort will be costly as time is of the essence and yet Aphrodite’s worshippers will pilgrim from far and wide and offer their labour for food and board and the holy structure will rise and when ready be consecrated. You will have the choice of testing your faith once again to be anointed its High Priestess or decline the opportunity to be present and remain Matriarch of one of the greatest Houses of the Empire.”

Her upper body and torso reaches a wave of swaying I believe almost impossible without falling flat and yet she manages to maintain her balance until my final word.

“Where are these worshippers now and when will they come?”

I lean forward slightly. “They say there are several deserted rundown buildings, vacated in a rush by Lessor Houses. I suggest these be torn down and replaced with tall buildings, many floors with many rooms for sleeping, shared rooms for preparing food, baths and a common well.”

“Why?” she whispers.

“When I spread the word of the Goddess, I will tell the faithful about your dream to build her a Cathedral in your city and if they pilgrimage there, they will find a place to stay.”

Her eyes glaze over, dreaming of the fame and the greatness which will be hers. When she returns, I hold out my hands, which she examines with questioning eyes.

“Hold out your hands, both, together.”

Slowly she complies and I can’t believe her caution, yet Snake Kin are what they are. I drop several large gemstones into her cupped hands.

“They are the finds from many years of stone shaping, we thought to buy our freedom with them, yet our jailors refused to accept they held any value. Your Kin may value them more appropriately.”

Taha hands off a modest bag full, which she first holds open so the Matriarch can pour her portion in, refilling the treasure trove to the original bounty.

“This is a fortune … and you trust me with this wealth?”

“You are an Adept of Aphrodite and the Goddess still walks this land, so you won’t lack guidance, devotion and motivation.”

Did I see her swallow?

“Praise be to the Goddess Aphrodite,” she whispers as her eyes wander around trying to penetrate beyond the dark of night.

“We will leave in the dead of night, our Lion Kin Hunter has already blazed a trail for us to follow, although not before my sister has completed another lounge.”

“You will not accompany me? Somehow I should feel insulted …”

“No, Matriarch Yinrel, we go to sow seeds and reap worshippers, our Goddess places a heavy burden on us as she does you.”

She tightens the cords on the bag and snaps into action barking orders to her Daughters and Sons to prepare for an early break of camp, they need to urgently return home. I join my sister to leave the Questor Group to rejoice in their own way, although when I glance at Barald throwing back one bottle of mead and Macer the other I am tempted to intervene.

“Leave them be sister and observe, you are almost of age …”

--- 3rd Person POV

“What do you make of all this my pet?” asked Naesatra, Matriarch of House Silver Scale to her Fox Kin slave.

“I don’t trust any of it, worshipping a God, a Matriarch giving up a senior Daughter and a Questor Group of mixed Kin being in anyway superior by developing skills in a Dungeon. Groups who enter the Dungeon perish, a well-known fact, from those sent by Dog Kin High Command to fanatics of the God Zeus.”

“How do you explain Alasse and the assassination of Saida?”

“Exactly my Matriarch, the lesser Houses Matriarch’s or perhaps Azarya already plotting together before the meeting, this Alasse but a dispensable figurehead and I believe even Yinrel plots above all of this from afar, to remain innocent and yet the plot master.”

“Well the Matriarch of House Burning Fang, won’t be a bother, the journey home long and dangerous. I wonder how the Dog Kin High Command knew a Matriarch could be stray for the taking?” The Matriarch placed a finger on her chin in mock thought.

“How did you know when she would return?”

“Oh, my pet I didn’t. I told the Dog Kin High Command that there could be a possibility between certain dates. In essence if for some reason she and her entourage returned earlier than reasonable, which would mean our demise from her treachery or perhaps a change of mind … or whatever you call what just happened tonight.”

His Matriarch’s sinister smile sent a shiver down his spine. The cold calculation of this ambush …

Matriarch Naesatra continued her gloating, “This Dungeon intrigues me, if only because of the stories the Snake Kin told me, they rang true which would mean this Alasse could have grown in strength with each foray. A much better reason for her command of the lesser House Matriarchs and possible instant cast of her element, which none seem to know, and I bribed many before I agreed to join Yinrel on this journey.”

“A last question for Matriarch Yinrel before she decamps in the morning my Matriarch?”

“I suspect the morning will be too late, my request for the lounge a ruse also, to delay the Stone Giants and their escort. Allow you a good sleep my pet as I need you to shadow them, ensure they don’t turn about and return to Quest Town to warn one in particular of my imminent arrival. I like surprising my enemies.”

The Fox Kin flashed his teeth in a smile. “You are most considerate my Matriarch, but I have taken the liberty of preparing two of your archers for the task, they have set out this evening probably lay in wait as we speak for the Stone Giants.”

The Matriarch raises an eyebrow. “Why archer Snake Kin?”

“They are the most Snake like, able to slink close to the ground taking advantage of cover impossible for others. Perfect for this mission.”

“Would they know to take a homing pigeon with them to send a message ahead to arrange a suitable ambush?”

The Fox Kin’s fur bristled. “No, my Matriarch.”

“Be a good Fox and scamper after them and inform them of the real plan and then return to me. I have another task for you since you will be available.”

The Fox Kin nods and hurries away.

Matriarch Naesatra takes to slithering back and forth under the guise of helping her think. House Burning Fang will be heading for destruction, the Stone Giants will be ambushed if they continue North and if they do circle back, dealt with. Given her Fox Kin slave will be available, perhaps a visit to Quest Town by stealth first to map the buildings and streets and if luck decrees the location of Alasse. The following night an assassin mission to coincide with her arrival as a distraction for the entire Town.

Her eyes fall upon the crate of wine …

--- Little Sis POV

Pre-dawn and with the Snake Kin camps now a good distance behind us the banter of the Questor Group picks up, much to my relief. Broken Lance checking often for any following. Barald and Macer competing for bragging rights over who between them suffers most from their mead drinking hang-over, with Faybeth trying to convince them to chew on a particular plant for relief. My sister, the tip of tongue poking out the side of her mouth practicing stone melding while walking, grunting every so often. Miraphine our sole companion deep in her own thoughts.

“A gem for your thoughts Initiate?”

She shakes her head. “Too easy Prophet, they are Matriarchs, nothing is easy with them. As Snake Kin they needed to outplay and out scheme all others to rise, gather fickle support with promises of power, although modest yet tempting, a fine balancing act. Too easy Prophet.”

“Matriarch Yinrel has been tested and her level of faith rewarded, plus she is besotted with wine, an easy bribe if ever required. Her sister grateful I would think so another ally in that House. Only Matriarch Naesatra to be concerned with and she is on her way to Quest Town to challenge our High Priestess …”

Miraphine shakes her head. “We will be followed and ambushed, a loose end as they say.”

“And yet Broken Lance reports none do …” I reply.

“We just haven’t spotted them yet. I am certain they are out there. And somehow Naesatra will ambush Yinrel, the temptation to remove a Matriarch would be overwhelming.”

I place a hand on her shoulder. “Matriarch Yinrel assured us she would be taking a different route home, surely Naesatra couldn’t shift her ambush that quickly? As for us we won’t be heading towards Matriarch Naesatra’s city, we will just appear to and then turn either West or East, I haven’t decided yet. Remember we need to send pilgrims there, no point gaining worshipers where I assume Yinrel will.”

Her arm reaches around my waist, leaning her head against my shoulder as we synchronise our pace. “Naesatra will carry homing pigeons, yet they will home back to her city, so avoiding there would be wise.”

There are cogs of thought turning over in the Initiate’s mind and I wait. Then a sudden hissing laugh.

“Do you think the Matriarch Naesatra will realise her lounge is a Shrine to Aphrodite?”

“No, my sister engraved our Goddess’ runes on the inside, hollowed out and then sealed over,” I reply and then return a smug smile.

“Matriarch Yinrel led a competent Holy Ceremony to consecrate the new lounge …”

“She did and such a success, without belief and faith impossible, so another test to convince you Initiate.”

“Will our Goddess be able to track her own Shrine, Prophet?”

“Not in the middle of nowhere, but I am hopeful the closer the Shrine is to Quest Town. When I prayed to our Goddess at her newly consecrated Shrine, I assured her of our safety and let her know of the gift heading her way …”

The Snake Kin squeezing my waist enough of an answer … an energy of purpose returning to her manifesting splinters of solid darkness in her hands in broad daylight. Apparently challenge meeting imagination and determination produces results.