The burning building had attracted a crowd, with a bucket-brigade forming, several priests conjuring up water-spouts from empty air. The air was thick with smoke and dust, but this wasn’t enough to stop there being fast and efficient service, smartly-dressed staff appearing with smooth grace, Janaxia ordering food, while also making sufficient gold appear that they didn’t question Semari’s battered body, slumped in a chair. She was conscious, but her clothing was just barely intact, her expression vague.

As soon as food appeared, Semari lunged at it, hands lightning fast, grabbing a buttery croissant and jamming it into her mouth, crumbs scattering out.

‘Feeling better?’

‘Grphhh.’ Semari mumbled through her croissant, grabbing another one, faster even than Janaxia’s bolts, one of them smacking into the metal table and making it rock from the impact.

Dark energy appeared around another of the croissants, lifting it up and pulling it in half, neat enough not to scatter crumbs. Half went to Skotadi, half to Armoniki, hovering in front of each of them.

‘You may eat. You both did well today. And you should have something as well, Stathis. It must have been tiring having to do all that fighting. And you are looking a little… sweaty. Perhaps you should request a moist towelette to wipe off with?’

‘I think I’ll keep the armour on, just in case.’

The building was still burning, despite the water being poured onto it, a thick haze of steam helping to keep dust out of the air. ‘Thanks though.’

The food was good, soft and light, melting in her mouth, and helping to revitalise her. She didn’t even have to raise a hand to order water, a pitcher of water, ice clinking, getting brought over, along with enough glasses for everyone. She poured herself a glass, making sure to get some ice, chugging it down, before pouring more of the water down her armour, feeling it getting absorbed into the padding, and sighing in relief.

Hmph.

‘You don’t know how hot this thing is!’

‘It does show a certain lack of… grace, shall we say?’

‘Well, I’m not suffering just because some people might not like the look of it. And I can’t change my clothing on a whim like you.’ She held up the empty pitcher, a waitress appearing and taking it away, swiftly returning with a refill. ‘What happened inside there?’

All three of them looked at each other, Janaxia’s eyes flicking between Janaxia and Armoniki.

‘How bad was it?’

‘It was a trifle… messy. His blade… well, weapon, turned in his head, the edge turning against him. And then his body withered away, his essence getting drawn into the object. Along with his physical substance, which was rather… unsettling to see. Although the look of suffering and surprise on his face was rather pleasing to see.’

‘The weapon turned on him? Was that something to do with you two?’ Stathis looked at Skotadi and Armoniki – Skotadi had changed her clothing, into something very sleek and revealing, getting approving glances from several young men walking by. ‘Was there a fragment of the Blade in it or something? And you’re not old enough to dress like that.’

Janaxia nodded, staring at Skotadi. There was a brief contest of wills between the two of them, Janaxia’s eyes glinting. Skotadi was the first to break, sighing and looking away, most of the gauze in her dress turning into solid fabric.

There was some flicker of…

‘Real voice!’

Skotadi puffed indignantly, but obeyed. ‘…some flicker of awareness there. Scattered and fragmented, but still there. It seems that they disliked their wielder.’

‘Well, he was a rather unpleasant individual. Although it would have been useful to speak to him for information gathering purposes. But with him gone, then whatever was being done here is likely dealt with. He was not the type to allow his followers to approach his own power, so if he does have any acolytes, then they will be unable to proceed with his plans. So I think that our work here is mostly done?’ She snapped her fingers, summoning one of the staff, and ordering food. ‘So I think we can relax a little and treat ourselves? We deserve it, after all.’

She reached out herself for a croissant, Semari moving to grab it as well. Eldritch energy shot it upwards, Semari grabbing at one corner. It started to tear, the two opposing forces ripping it apart.

Stathis picked up another one and leaned forward, pushing it into Janaxia’s mouth. The dark force vanished, Semari grabbing at the rest of it, shoving it into her mouth as a single thing.

‘We should get back to the army as soon as possible. There’s still a lot of shit going down still, we can’t really take a break.’

Language! Janaxia nodded her head towards Skotadi and Armoniki.

‘I think they can manage a little bad language.’

Hmph. ‘Well, while I am aware that events are certainly moving at quite a pace, then surely that is all the more reason to take breaks when we can? After all, who knows when the next one will be? And it will take quite some time to return, so we may as well make the most of being here. Skotadi could do with some exposure to fine culture as well.’

The staff were bringing food out now – dozens of tiny plates and bowls, each holding little more than a bite, the scent enough to make Stathis’ mouth water.

‘Well, we should at least stay for food, I suppose.’ It did smell good! She reached out and grabbed a pair of tiny pastry rolls and ate them. The flavours were subtle and sweet, a lovely sensation, although she could have done with at least a dozen more.

A dark forcefield appeared over half over the table, Skotadi and Armoniki both chanting in unison to erect the barrier. When Semari tried to poke it, it repelled her finger, forcefully enough to make her hiss in pain. She redirected her efforts to the food within reach, swiftly devouring it.

‘Hey! Leave some for me. And Parth!’

The barrier was apparently permeable for the staff, but not to Semari, repelling her repeated attempts at intrusion. Parth moved with determined speed, grabbing at a twisted assortment of brightly-coloured plant fronts, lightly fried, and eating it with seeming relish.

‘You could have helped with that elemental before it almost killed me!’

‘Watching the darkness. Darknesses?’

‘Maybe we can focus on defeating enemies first? I’d rather not get cooked in my armour!’

‘Endure, o child of light.’

‘I’d rather not have to?’ More and more good kept coming, a three-tiered platter getting put in the centre of the table, filled with delicately-sliced fish. ‘So, once we’re done here, then we head back? I’d hope that Master Yeros can keep things under control here.’

Janaxia was using her powers to assemble a collection of thin slices, pink and white, dipping one into brown sauce.

Hmmm, I suppose. It would be nice to rest though, and I suspect that the army can manage without us for at least one night. It is rather large, especially now that it has merged with the main Iristari forces.

‘You’ve just told them off for not using their voices!’

Janaxia took a delicate nibble of a fish-slice. ‘If you insist, although it does make eating more convenient. So, I suppose the choice is up to you – you could order a swift return, and a miserable rest in the air. Or we could have actual beds, for a change? I would imagine ensuring rooms at your chapter house would be possible, especially given our recent deeds.’

‘A full respite.’ Parth nodded in agreement.

‘OK, I guess one night won’t hurt. But we need to head off early tomorrow – no shopping trips! It’s not like we’re going to be doing anything that needs fancy clothing for a while anyway.’

‘Oh? I was thinking that there might be a victory parade at some point?’

‘There’s normally a delay between the war and that, gives time for everyone to rest up. And you can make your own clothing anyway! You don’t need to actually buy any clothing.’

‘Well, it is nice to look around for inspiration. And there is a certain pleasure in possessing an item, rather than having to go to the labour of creating it myself. Although it would be nicer to be brought such things as gifts.’

Something tapped against Stathis’ greave, knocking against the armour before sliding up – it took Stathis a moment to realise that it was Janaxia’s foot, sliding up her leg.

‘Uh, armour? And company?’

Hmph. The foot knocked against her armour again. ‘Now that Peresperan is defeated, then that is one potent foe eliminated.’

‘I just hope that the rest of your family are still squabbling with each other! And we don’t have to fight anything else unexpected. You’ve not got an undead dragon stashed away in a basement or anything?’

‘There’s no need for sarcasm! A variety of magical items, but nothing like that. Well, there is Kinnevar, but it seems unlikely that he would aid our foes.’

‘He wielded the Blade, didn’t he? Can you get in touch with him and ask him for help?’

‘I can try. Although his slumbers are long, so it may be some time before there is a response. Redcastle is unlikely to be fully conquered while he is there though – if attacked, he will likely rouse himself, and I would imagine there is little that can stand against him, even if he is bound in place.’

‘So we need to get the Blade, to stop any more weird magical shapeshifters getting made, and to stop the sun being blocked forever? I suppose Saltstone next. Might be interesting to see your home.’

Janaxia winced. ‘It is rather in need of repair – the gardens were once pleasant, but that was several hundred years ago. Although it is unlikely that there will be the time to set them in good order any time soon. And the area itself is rather marshy and unpleasant – I can see why the Redcastle residence was generally preferred. A far nicer climate there, much warmer.’

The building collapsed with a roar of crumbling masonry, dust blasting up and out, even the torrents of water not enough to keep it fully suppressed. Flames flickered and lashed the air, smoke wafting outwards. More water-spouts appeared from empty air, cooling off the embers. Stathis kept an eye on it, just in case the elemental emerged from beneath the rubble. Vividly-coloured explosions shook the air, remnants of Peresperan’s experiments falling apart, adding an acrid stench to the smoke.

Janaxia’s foot rose upwards, donking against Stathis’ inner thigh, the heel of her shoe tapping against metal.

‘Uh, not really the time? Although maybe now you could ask Skotadi if she could do something about the, uh… You know, the thing?’

Janaxia was looking at her blankly. Stathis raised a hand to her mouth, hoping that Semari and Parth wouldn’t notice, trying to imitate a kissing motion, Janaxia still looking at her doubtfully.

‘So there’s not a repeat of what happened last time when we got close? It would be nice to, uh, continue that?’ She felt her face heating up, grabbing at a small slice of toast to hide her blush, something red smeared over it. When she ate it, the spicy heat burned into her throat, making her cough and splutter.

Janaxia coughed as well, a delicate blush coming over her features. ‘Ah, yes. I shall discuss that with Skotadi. As this may be our last chance for respite in some time, then perhaps we should try and make the most of it.’

The barrier shimmered and rippled, interacting somehow with their telepathy. Skotadi’s face moved through a variety of expressions, from annoyance to disgust, Janaxia staring her down. Skotadi looked away, before turning to look at Stathis, staring at her with cold eyes, playing with her hair, running a hand through the long strands, the beads and decorations clacking together.

Hmmm. I suppose there is a certain grandeur there. Although you could work on looking a little nicer. That armour is scarcely appealing, and you are rather… singed.

‘I was fighting a fire elemental! And I can’t clean myself up on command.’

Armoniki’s voice cut in. A pact with…

‘No!’

Skotadi snickered at Armoniki. Despite your… affiliations, you seem to have protected her well, and proven your worth. I will allow your advances. Although should you prove to be displeasing or unsatisfying, then I may retract my permission.

She was like a spinster aunt! Stathis managed to avoid rolling her eyes, instead smiling back at Skotadi, who grumbled at her, between bites of the food, she and Armoniki snarling at each other over particularly choice morsels.

‘So, uh, is it safe? I’d rather not die again!’

You have my blessing to proceed. For now, at least. Although I hope that you don’t disappoint Janaxia.

‘I’ll, uh, do my best.’ That bite had been ridiculously spicy, making her face as sweaty as the inferno around the elemental. ‘So, everyone OK to rest up here overnight? Parth, can you call the eagles?’

‘The sky shall be our ally.’

‘Thanks. You want to settle up then, Janaxia?’

Janaxia raised a hand, a waiter coming over and handing over a bill. She blanched, almost as grey as when Peresperan had attacked her with magic.

‘Your…’ The waiter’s eyes glanced at Skotadi and Armoniki, still within their magical bubble. ‘…wards have been ordering a lot of delicacies, madam. It was rather unsettling for the staff to be communicated with so directly. If you could kindly pay, or know which bank to charge and leave a contact address and something of sufficient worth as collateral. It would be much appreciated.’

I find myself temporarily embarrassed of sufficient funds…

‘We’ll be at the chapterhouse of the Knights of the Sun? Master Yeros can vouch for us.’

‘Very good, Sir Knight. But I must insist on something of value, to be left against your debt? Not that I doubt your word, of course, but it would be inconvenient were you to depart without settling for the full amount.’

Stathis looked over everyone else – Semari’s clothing was barely intact and she had nothing of value, most of Janaxia’s clothing was probably illusionary and she’d likely get offended if asked to part with her golden choker, Parth didn’t have anything but her bow and swords… She sighed and untied her sword from her waist, drawing it slightly from the sheathe, showing off the magical sheen along the blade.

‘Will this be sufficient? I’ll be back at first light – I’ll need it back!’ She spoke a word under her breath, letting her hair glow golden, illuminating the area with soft sunlight. ‘So make sure there is someone here?’

He didn’t look particularly impressed, but took the blade. ‘Of course, Sir Knight. We are open at all hours, and take the greatest care with items entrusted to us.’