“Don’t feel guilty for a crime you have not committed – commit it and be guilt free”

- Amit Abraham

The next morning Alyssa nearly remained in bed. Her leg hurt like it was still broken and she was painfully stiff while being bruised all over. “Ngh. That hurts.”

Mireille was helping her stretch. Alea looked on critically while feeding some jerky to Cyrus. “Do you think it would be better to try another healing spell?”

“That might make some sense. Shortly after the duel, the lingering void magic made it hard to really get results.” Alyssa shook her arm trying to loosen up a bit. She looked at Mireille, “Thank you for hitting that student. I did not even know him and he punched me while I was trying to help!”

“He had the look of an idiot and he did idiotic things. It is safe to say he was a big moron.” Mireille smiled. “Can you come with us? Or would you prefer to take the day off?”

“I think I can manage and if the one thing I get from this is a bit of respect I can’t show weakness.”

As they entered the dining room the other girls looked at them strangely. Lucille greeted them with “Good morning!” but the others were silent or simply gave a short nod.

The rest of the day followed that pattern. Where before she had been the obvious focus of at times malicious gossip, now most students tried to avoid her. There was still the odd whisper and furtive look accompanied by pointing, but this time around from quite a bit more distance.

Eating in the mensa was better because the second years and up did not seem to be as interested in a mere first-years business. Vivienne and her brother kept them company with the green-haired girl being highly amused by the whole mess.

Sword One was interesting at least because some students tried to sound out Mireille for information regarding Alyssa making her strangely popular until the teacher put a stop to it.

Otto was not seen nor heard from this day. Lieseleta was also still absent.

Alea suffered from nightmares and would wake drenched in sweat, sometimes even screaming. Asked if she wanted to talk she declined for the time being. She threw herself into tinkering with her automaton and made great strides in resizing the Ayrton converter.

The next day was more of the same even as the students began to settle down a bit.

And then it was the weekend.

‘Has it been nearly a month since we began to study here? It seems like a lifetime.’ Alyssa was lying in her bunk-bed, Mireille had snuck in sometime during the night which she did not mind. She had not been able to sleep well since the duel, sometimes her left arm was burning, probably because some source of void energy or other was near, sometimes it was a nightmare about her captivity with Christina, the noble she had killed, or the duel she had fought.

Poor Alea, she had a similar problem since the last weekend but at the moment she slept peacefully.

The grey light of dawn filtered through the shutters and outside the first stirrings of activity could be heard as servants greeted each other and footsteps sounded from the corridor.

Cyrus drew his sinuous neck from where he had kept it between his wings. Eyes of a deep forest green looked at her and she felt the affection the small wyvern held for her. He greeted her with a rasping hiss and then began to groom the claws of his feet.

Cecile the clockwork spider was also moving about, which Alyssa thought was strange as Alea was still sleeping.

‘Fire. Mh.’ She opened and closed her right hand. She had practiced the firebolt a lot while traveling, only to neglect it as she had been taught to utilize the more powerful void magic by Vanessa. ‘Fire for offense, Water for defense.’ She smiled. It would make sense to intensify her studies in that direction until she had better control of the harmful energies of the void. But wouldn’t that mean that she would take longer for that?

Today was the day they had made the appointment with the Keshians. Vanessa would have scouted the Sturdy Mast already. Should they really accompany her? It would be an adventure. She smiled.

The room brightened as the unseen sun crested the horizon and instead of a feeble grey, the light grew to become a bright red.

She was never a very religious person. She had sometimes prayed to Meloris for who would not like the god of civilization while living in a city. Outside with her mother, it had been Irkonos the wild-warden, protector of nature for whom she had left offerings of pretty flowers and the odd herb. Gesserach Oathkeeper was never to her liking, too strict. Ielenia the White without Stain was appealing as long as one was ‘pure’ and she was, in the eyes of the goddess, a stained and unclean person. Voris the god of journeys and travel was liked by most but not worshipped as such other than perhaps by traveling folk.

Charis…her thoughts ran to a gaunt female figure holding aloft a chalice dripping with the tears of the dead. Strangely the thought of praying to the goddess of death, remembrance, loss and vengeance was not as unappealing as she had thought in the past.

Nirileth the night-thief, patron of her dear friend Mireille. No, not for her. She simply did not have the need for material things that was nearly mandatory for a worshipper of this mischievous deity.

Saressa the Phoenix, Origin of all Flame, the Spark of Inspiration, and the Holder of the Secrets of the Forge. She liked her and what she stood for, but she was neither a metalsmith nor an artisan.

She extricated herself carefully to not wake her friend and went to the bathroom. ‘I am curious what this day will bring.’

After breakfast, the trio took the coach to the townhouse and spent their time catching up with their homework.

In the afternoon they discussed the plans for the evening.

“I wanted to go. Mireille you did want to go too?” Alyssa regarded her friend who was putting on her armor.

Mireille looked up and nodded. “Of course!”

Alea looked between the two. “I don’t know if I would be helpful. I am still very weak physically. Alyssa are you really okay?” She looked at the white-haired girl critically.

“Yes, I am mostly recovered, a tad stiff I must admit but otherwise fine. I do think you would be very helpful. Miss I-thwarted-an-assassination.”

Alea smiled a bit at that.

“Let’s go all together. Vanessa will be there too and they only want to talk and they want something from us. It shouldn’t be that dangerous.” Mireille tried to cheer them up.

“Now you jinxed it!” Alyssa protested.

“How do we get there? We can hardly take the coach into the docks.” Alea was furrowing her forehead.

“Let’s ask Adam?” Mireille shrugged. “Otherwise we could take a public coach.”

“They are extra careful with me after the problems last weekend.”

“Are you truly alright? With the duel and my injuries, I feel as if we neglected you. The memories must hurt a lot.” Alyssa looked concernedly at Alea.

“They do.” She sighed. “But it is no use fussing over me and it would do me no good if I were to brood all the time. The memories are disjointed and they come and go seemingly at random. Sometimes I think they are most clear when asleep.” She subconsciously rubbed her chest. “But there is a lot of good memories in between the bad. I think on the whole I am thankful that it came to this. Working on the automaton has been good for me. It brings back happy memories.”

“Then let us ask Adam first.” Mireille tried to change the subject.

Adam was quickly found tending to the horses. He looked up, his craggy, square face unreadable. “Hello my lady. Girls. What can I do for you lot?”

“We would like to meet someone this evening and the location might be a bit iffy.” Mireille took the initiative.

“Iffy? That is an interesting word. How iffy?”

“The ‘Sturdy Mast’.”

He looked at them incredulously then laughed. “I don’t think they cater to girls? The last I heard they had a pretty good selection of whores but no boys. Wouldn’t recommend them nonetheless. They might be mostly clean but…”

Alea was beet red and Alyssa was not far behind. Mireille giggled. “You misunderstand. We are set to meet some people and they recommended this location because of privacy?”

“Mh. That makes a lot more sense even though I have to ask- Are you sure about that? The privacy you speak of is guaranteed by less than savory people. And they could well use that to eliminate you – in privacy.”

“We are sure and we won’t be alone. A good friend of ours Vanessa will accompany us.”

“Was that the one who helped at the Green Dragon? I never saw her but I found part of her handiwork. Nice job that. Ah, so what, might as well do it. We have a more subdued carriage in the back. I will make it ready for departure by this evening. When will you be expected?”

“Ten o’clock.”

“Then we should be on our way at nine, nine-fifteen on the latest.”

“We will come back then.”

Adam stretched and a loud crackling sound came from his spine. The girls winced. Laughing he went into the stable.

The dusk painted the walls in shades of red and grey the wind had picked up again. Autumn winds plucked the last leaves from the trees around the Ivy Terrace.

An unmarked coach made of sturdy wood drove from the carriage entrance. Mireille looked critically at the interior. “I said I would get used to luxury and I did! This is no longer okay!” There were only hard wooden benches, worn smooth by countless people but hard nonetheless.

Alyssa had to laugh at that. “We will meet Vanessa at the destination?”

‘That is what she told me.’ Asandria answered.

“What if I have to fight? I am nowhere good enough to defend myself with water.”

‘Then do what you must, but please utilize life-energy and the orb before you do that. Vanessa did not spend her time teaching for you to forget everything.’

The surroundings were bright at first but the walls darkened with soot, the clothes became less flamboyant, less colorful, even the sky so vibrant in the beginning was choked with soot. Rumbling from great machines could be heard from great manufactoria. A zeppelin hung in the air casting a vast shadow. Goods were sent up by pulley and platforms drawn by rattling machinery. Men caked with ash and black from smoke, coughing loading the elevators. Children grabbing coals and feeding the fires.

Beggars sat to the side, missing limbs, destroyed faces. Poverty. Meloris bringer of civilization saw the whole and discarded the individual. He was the hand that turns the world, he who would lift up the city but under each wheel, there were crushed weeds and bugs and people.

The coach drove on.

The river lay before them dark masses of water churning with foam where they met the long quays, ships swayed in the current.

The streets were full at night and taverns, inns and brothels did a brisk business. Laughter and angry shouts, music good and bad. The night was alive with frantic energy. Here and there were signs of bluestone abuse but also the poison of the dream-flower the sap of heart-trees. Many ways were open to those who sought to destroy themselves.

What was nearly absent were patrols of the guard, there were some guard towers manned by Kronenbug’s defenders but they kept to themselves. If there were fights men in leather and thick cloth would break it up using fists and clubs. They wore gang signs on their arms, some on their forehead.

The carriage turned a corner and entered a street lined with large houses of a better make. Women in scanty clothing posed for passerby some leaned from windows and blew the passing vehicle a kiss.

Alea blushed, as one of the ‘ladies’ drew down her bodice to give her a glimpse of full breasts.

The house they finally stopped at was not the largest nor the smallest it was well made of quarried stone, not the cheap bricks everyone else used. A large mast probably once belonging to a military vessel decorated the front yard. A sign proclaimed the establishment the ‘Sturdy Mast’.

And as they exited the carriage helped by Adam for this one did not have the convenient folding stairs they saw a small figure in beautiful blue cloak waiting to the side.

“Vanessa?”

“Yes, it’s me.” Vanessa walked up to them. Her eyes gleamed blue-green beneath her cloak’s hood.

“Did you wait long? Did you have any problems?” Mireille looked her up and down.

“No one came to kidnap me.” The words were very dry. “I might have to intensify your training if you underestimate me like that.”

“I will park the coach. Should I keep watch there or accompany you?” Adam nodded at Vanessa. “Nice to meet you.”

“I would recommend you care for the horses. We will manage. And good evening to you too.”

Adam nodded and drove away.

“Let us go inside, they are probably waiting for us already.”

The group gathered behind Vanessa and all of them entered the building.

The entrance was a reception where one could leave cloaks, weapons, and everything deemed unnecessary. A young man with a blonde ponytail wearing a vest, white shirt, and trousers welcomed them while looking concerned and amused at the same time. They were young girls and well-dressed ones at that.

“Girls, welcome to the ‘Sturdy Mast’ it would be mighty strange if you did not know, but this place here is for getting companionship. Of the female kind.”

Mireille laughed at that. Alyssa looked pained. Alea was a bit mortified.

“And what's up with that lizard thing. Is that a pet? You should leave it at home it looks dangerous!”

“He is my familiar. I am a mage and can’t and won’t leave him. He is much more intelligent than a normal pet, so please bear with it. We have an appointment here with Kadira of Sur-Kesh.”

The young man paled a bit and bowed. “Please forgive my thoughtless words. You can of course enter. I will call a servant to show you around. If there is anything you need let me or one of the girls know!”

Vanessa raised an eyebrow beneath her hood.

Shortly a woman in a low-cut dress entered, she might have been a bit older than the four friends, her makeup made it hard to be sure. She had bleached blonde hair and a full figure. “I am Lucy and will be taking care of you for the evening. There was a room reserved for you please come with me.” She had a nice voice but seemed nervous.

Inside it was all glittering gold and silver paint, some mirrors, glow-globe chandeliers, and a maze of rooms. Men and women milled about and drank and chatted with each other. There were several bars with an assortment of wine and spirits. The air reeked of perfume and alcohol.

Alea pulled Cecily close and wrinkled her nose.

The young woman led them through the press expertly dodging the attentions of a drunk man or other as one of them grabbed at Mireille’s butt, but as soon as he drew near a spark of lightning shocked him and he fell heavily onto his bottom. “Hey, wench! If I want to have a feel you smile and stand still!”

“Esteemed customer, she is not an employee. Please, there are others who would be grateful for your attention.”

“Mpf. She should at least apologize. How am I to know. What sort of girl is a customer here!?”

Mireille shook her arm where little bolts of lightning were still arcing. “Let's continue. I don’t want to be here longer than I have to.”

Lucy opened a door after unlocking it with a large key and ushered them inside. “If you have not eaten I can have the kitchen make something for you. Otherwise a few snacks? Wine?”

She seemed eager to please and let them forget about the incident.

The room's color scheme was a dark green, the floor was covered by a thick carpet. Noises from outside ceased as the door closed. Windows opened onto pine forest at night, clearly an illusion but so well made it would be difficult to identify as such.

A table and six chairs stood in the center of the room. The walls were hung with tapestries depicting flowers and plant life.

“Now it seems we wait.” Vanessa looked around attentively. “There are runes in the stones.” She pointed a the four corners. “See those somewhat larger stone bricks? Those are the ones. Sound dampening, fire suppression, and some strengthening.” She smiled.

“How can you see that?” Alyssa was curious.

“She is using a spell.” Alea sounded certain.

“That is true. Arcane magic is very useful when interacting with other magic or the mind.”

Time passed and they ate a bit from the snacks presented.

There was a knock on the door which opened shortly afterward.

Iseret Sekesh entered and then stood to the side head lowered respectfully. She wore tightfitting leather armor and khopesh at her side beside some throwing knives. Her black hair was bound with copper wire.

A tall woman with a dark, near-black complexion entered after her. She wore a hood and moved sinuously, snakelike. Small scales were visible where skin was exposed. Behind her in the corridor stood two armored men with humanlike features visible for a moment before the door was shut again.

The woman then removed her hood and a reptilian face was exposed with black scales, dark yellow, slit eyes. A forked tongue. Behind her head and along her neck a large hood like that of a gigantic cobra unfolded. When she smiled long sharp canines were visible. Her hands were long-fingered with black claws at the end. She wore a dark cloak with the symbol of Sur Kesh prominently displayed on the back. Otherwise, she wore dark leather bands inscribed with runes that criss-crossed her lean body leaving not much to the imagination. She had a striking aura that seemed to fill the room.

“I thank you for your coming. I am Kadira of Sur Kesh. Hem-Netjer of the Many-as-One. You must be Vanessa.” She looked at the small vampire. “May your second life be fruitful and your regrets few. Alea von Graufurt, Alyssa Miner and Mireille Annirstochter. I am very pleased to make your acquaintance.”

“The pleasure is mine daughter of the First.” Vanessa looked at Kadira with wariness in her eyes.

“We thank you for the invitation.” Alea collected herself first.

“Yes, thank you.” Mireille was not nearly as proper.

“I thank you for your invitation.” Alyssa nodded.

“Let us have a seat. I see you have already begun to eat. If you want I can have a suitable beverage brought for you…?” She looked at Vanessa.

“No, thank you. I have already eaten.” Vanessa did not bat an eye.

Kadira seated herself while Iseret took position beside the door. “I would like to establish some things first if possible?”

“By all means.” Vanessa looked calm.

“You are in opposition and conflict with the vampiric overlord of Kronenburgs underworld. Vadislav Orpen.”

“Yes.”

“Then we have much to discuss.” A smile graced thin scaled lips.