The head of the snake had been severed, and the body was dying around them, its toxic presence giving way to the righteous reclaimers of this long-lost city. Dunlark Spire was dead. Now Phyrn’s chosen could focus on Fyren.

“I never thought I’d see the day,” Krey lilted. “We actually did it.”

“It was touch and go for a minute,” Livia breathed, “but… yeah… hah, wow.”

“Tecal was really something!” Pippy chimed. “I just wish she’d come over to our side. Still… it was a good fight!”

“Never has my faith been so thoroughly tested,” Emilie said, “but after today, it has also never been stronger; my faith in Phyrn, and my faith in all of you.” She smiled at her companions, and they bowed their heads in return.

The Knights Berodyl and their hired comrades were already working to clear the streets of dead… and many dead there were, on both sides. The grooves between the paved stones were saturated with the blood of heretic and hero alike, and at the sight of it, Emilie felt something akin to remorse. They cannot be held entirely responsible for the fate in which they found themselves, she reflected. As offensive as their transgressions have been, I cannot find it in my heart to well and truly hate them.

And that, Phyrn’s voice rang in her mind, is why you are worthy of the mantle you bear.

Emilie’s back straightened at the sensation of it, the goddess’ words leaving a sweet warmth in her.

Krey noticed her sudden tightening of posture. “Are you well, My Lady?”

“Quite well, Krey; thank you.”

They saw a familiar face approaching from down the street; it was Captain Mulgrew, leading a single file march of shambling elves who’s wrists were clapped in irons. “Ah! There you are! And fully accounted for, I see!”

“And you as well, captain,” Krey nodded, “have survived the battle I see.” He raised a hand to stop the march, and the captain let him inspect the prisoners. “Who are they?”

“Rats we found hiding in the houses,” the captain proudly stated. “The friends and families of those who fought us, no doubt. Their heads will send a potent message to their brothers and sisters in the theatres.”

Emilie thought back to the rotting corpse of the hierophant strung up on the city’s battlements. “No. You will do no such thing.”

“I beg your pardon, My Lady?” Captain Mulgrew’s moustache nearly flew from his lip. “With all due respect, these are prisoners of the Knights Berodyl, not the Sisterhood of Communion. And, as the ranking knight of the order present, I will decide—”

“With all due respect,” Krey interrupted, his voice laced with venom, “captain… you forget your place. Her Holiness is no mere initiate— she is a hierophant, anointed by the gods. As the guardians of the realm, we answer to only the realm, and must do what is best for the realm. The hierophants hear the gods of the realm, and speak on behalf of both the gods and the realm as well. You will do as she asks.”

“Sir Zoubor,” Captain Mulgrew droned, “come aside with me for a moment.”

Silently, he obeyed, and paced a short distance from his party with Mulgrew.

“What would you and Her Holiness have me do with them?!” he whisper-shouted, just short of being heard by the others.

“I don’t know,” Krey shrugged, “but you’re not making an example of them, that much is clear. As you said, they are your prisoners, thus are your responsibility.”

“So now I must… what? March them to the nearest city? Feed and water them the whole way? Do I need to remind you that we just fought a bloody siege?!”

“We’ve taken this city, have we not? Surely there must be somewhere here they could be held, and surely this city must have its own stores of food and water.”

The captain sneered. “I will do as Her Holiness commands… for now. But, once you and she are gone, I plan on going through with my original plan. You are not to tell her this— that is an order.”

Krey sighed. “You do realise that if she asks me, I will be compelled to tell her the truth?”

“Then I will ensure that she has no reason to ask you,” the captain grinned.

They returned to the others, and Mulgrew wasted no time smiling and bowing at Emilie. “Do not fear, My Lady, the prisoners will be dealt with appropriately.”

Emilie nodded. “Very well, captain; I leave this matter in your… capable… hands.”

The captain continued on his way with his prisoners in tow.

“Sir Zoubor,” Emilie beckoned discretely, “I… I must admit, I do not fully trust this Captain Mulgrew.”

“Nor I,” Krey agreed. “Later, I will find him and speak with him again. I’m sure I can… resolve the issue.”

“Very good,” Emilie smiled. “Your hands are ones I genuinely trust to be capable. As for now, I believe we should hurry to the aerodrome. I doubt it’ll be long before all the best pickings are claimed by the soldiers of fortune here, who are no doubt looking for… additional rewards.”

“The what?” Livia said with widening eyes. “Did you say… aerodrome? As in—”

“AIRSHIPS?!” Pippy finished for her with a scream. “They have airships moored here?! Wait, how do you even know that?”

“Held by heretics for a long time it may have been,” Emilie elaborated, “but this is still the holy capital. All initiates of the sisterhood were required to know the layout of Dunlark like the monastery in which we lived, in the hopes that our order would once again take up residence here.”

“Looks like your order’s gonna get its wish,” Livia mused with hands on hips. “Well, what’re we waiting for? Time to see another fiction come to life!”

Pippy broke into a series of leaps and bounds, clicking her heels and whooping each time.

Krey chuckled. “I take it Aubade did not have airships? Not that many places in Aubade do, either… really just the capitals of each nation.”

“We also need to negotiate with the mercenaries to find a pilot amongst them, someone who can fly the ship for us to our next destination, perhaps in exchange for ownership of the vessel.”

“No way!” Livia objected. “Sorry, Emilie, but I will learn to fly if that’s what it takes to keep this baby to ourselves! Of all the old stories, the ones about airships were my favourite, and I’ll be damned if I’m going to just give up the opportunity to own one now that I know they’re real!”

“AGREED!” Pippy cheered.

Emilie, remembering that half her party was composed of adult children, capitulated. “Alright, alright, we will teach ourselves to operate an airship… even if it’s not the safest option.”

“Think of it this way, milady,” Krey posited. “Skyfarers have to worry about that possibility all the time; I will personally make sure whatever airship we claim has suitable measures for such an event. I may not be a machinist… but I’ve flown before. That’s better than nothing, isn’t it?”

Emilie linked arms with him. “Well, I suppose knowing we have at least one among us with some degree of flying experience is reassuring.”