Stathis raised a hand, indicating not to move, her eyes sharp for movement, trying to see through the shadows and the water. There! A brief flash of silver, and she thrust downwards, her spear stabbing into the water with barely any resistance, penetrating smoothly, the fish not moving away quickly enough in as she speared it. When she raised it from the water, it flopped around on the spear.

‘Janaxia, how’s the fire going?’

She looked back over towards the beach. Janaxia was laying on her front on a towel, her top undone to bare her back, head resting on her arms, hair pooling outwards. Her black disk was close at hand, supporting an ice-bucket, a bottle poking out of the top.

Janaxia didn’t look up from her position, negligently waving a hand and pointing. Stathis followed the gesture, to where Skotadi was sat on her night-black throne. More dark magic pooled out from her hand, gathering up dry sticks and other debris, arranging them into a heap. Two flints sparked against each other, before a snap of fire started, quickly igniting dry leaves.

‘Good work, Skotadi! Although watch yourself – you don’t want to get sunburned.’ She was wearing a skimpy combination of straps and what was probably intended for swimming in, or at least being in the general proximity of water – quite how well it would actually hold up to submersion was something she didn’t seem to be in any hurry to find out, and she didn’t fill it out quite as well as Janaxia did hers. She was staring at the fire with interest, giving it a poke, carefully feeding in more dry tinder, making it flare up. A ribbon that dangled from her wrist caught fire, before blinking out of existence and re-forming.

‘Are you going to come help?’

Mhmmm, I like to think of myself as providing moral support. Although if you are free, then a fresh application of skin lotion would be pleasant.

‘We should at least have lunch first. And where’s Armoniki gone now?’

They are around. They have a dislike of the sun, but they managed to find some books. I daresay they will emerge when sufficiently hungry. Did you hear that a ship came into harbour today as well? Possibly some news?

Skotadi was staring at the fire, a slightly unnerving smile on her face.

I’m unsure as to the purpose of this as well, when there are perfectly acceptable facilities willing to prepare food. While fish may be better than travel rations, it lacks the style and ease of simply ordering a meal.

‘It’s a useful skill!’

Hmmm. Well, I will leave you to your fish. I think I’m in the mood for something a little more refined myself.

Throughout all this, Janaxia hadn’t moved, content to bask in the sunlight, skin slightly shiny, from sweat and lotion. There was the temptation to pick her up and toss her into the sea, but the fish should be cooked first. Although Janaxia was right, in that it wouldn’t taste as nice as something from one of the restaurants. Maybe she should look for some herbs to flavour it? Although there were good odds she’d get something either poisonous or bitter-tasting.

‘It would be easier without this thing?’ Staths tapped the throne, feeling the slick-smooth darkness beneath her fingers, leaving a slight sweat-stain where she touched it. Skotadi rolled her eyes, before the throne vanished, Skotadi landing on her feet, still staring at the fire. Her clothing rippled dramatically, ribbons and laces twirling despite the lack of breeze.

‘You don’t need to do that either. You can if you want to, but it doesn’t really do much.’ Skotadi turned her head, looking up at her, hair-beads clicking together. ‘Use actual words.’

She rolled her eyes again with an unnecessarily-deep sigh. ‘It is important to maintain a certain style at all times.’ She looked over Stathis’ plain trousers and shirt with a critical eye, before staring at her again.

‘You don’t really need to take everything Janaxia says to heart. And there’s no-one else around.’

‘But there might be.’ She gave a stubborn twist of her shoulders and crossed her arms over her chest, puffing out her lips, a rather lurid red.

‘Well, at least you can change instantly, I suppose that makes things easier than having to head back to the room every few hours to change. Having to lug around a crate of outfits is a nuisance!’

I’m sure someone else can be made available for any required carrying. Janaxia raised a drowsy hand, dark energy lifting up the champagne bottle and topping up her glass as she slowly stirred, lifting herself slightly upwards so she could drink. ‘I think it’s admirable that Skotadi is taking such an interest in fashion and appearence. It would be preferable if Armoniki were to do the same.’

Skotadi smiled and wriggled happily, ribbons twirling, her clothing pulling itself tight. Stathis resisted the urge to roll her own eyes, before starting to gut the fish. ‘You can probably use magic for this bit.’ Fish-blood squirted out, Skotadi raising a magical shield to protect herself, leaving it splattering down suddenly-solid air. ‘And then you want a skewer, so you can support it over the fire.’

There was rather too much pleasure on Skotadi’s face as she impaled the fish on a thin wooden stake, bones crunching as she shoved it through.

‘Good. Now, rest it above the fire. It shouldn’t take long to cook through. Some butter and herbs would help, but, well, this will have to do.’

‘And then we can eat?’ eat… The final word was echoed strangely, reverberating around inside Stathis’ head, partly Skotadi’s voice, partly something else, deeper and more sharp-edged. Skotadi looked around, seeming slightly un-nerved, her hair rippling, beads clicking again.

‘Maybe they’re waking up? It’s been almost a month, is that long enough to sleep it off?’

Perhaps… Skotadi shook herself, before turning back to the fish, scales now starting to brown.

‘Not yet! You need to cook it through. Although I’m not sure if you can get food poisoning, but I’d rather not find out. And it’ll make it taste better.’

Skotadi made a soft growling noise.

Impatience is unbecoming. At least in this scenario – even if you were to order some food, it would still take time to be prepared. There is magic to hasten such, but it is largely within the clerical domain. Unless you are capable of such? Janaxia sounded vaguely optimistic, before Skotadi shook her head. Then patience will be required.

Stathis watched with Skotadi, as the fish slowly cooked, scales cracking and peeling. It didn’t smell as nice as the food that was prepared at the restaurants in the town, but they were professionals! Although it would be a useful skill if Skotadi ever did have to travel. She took her knife and poked it into the soft flesh, slicing away scales, finding the meat soft.

‘OK, now it’s done. But watch out, it’ll be hot!’

That didn’t deter Skotadi as she picked up the stick, her mouth opening wider than should be possible, jaw distending to show off her pointed teeth. As she moved to consume it, Stathis heard a dissonant, screeching whine, metallic and raw, a black portal appearing above the fire, a form dropping through. Ashes and embers tumbled up through the air, an arm grabbing the stick from Skotadi, another maw opening wide, the silvery-white fish vanishing, teeth crunching down and biting through the stick.

Stathis waved her arms, trying to make the smoke fade away, hearing an un-word, Janaxia suddenly standing next to her, dark energy flickering around a hand.

Stood in the fire was a ragged and tattered-looking boy, probably at least five years younger than Skotadi, in appearance at least. His hair was jet black, in ragged clumps and tatters, his visible skin covered with scars, many not entirely healed, metal manacles on his wrists, his clothing nothing but rags.

Skotadi growled, raising a hand and calling up magical energy. Teeth continued to crunch, eating the fish, bones and all, before swallowing.

Eat…

Before Skotadi or Janaxia could attack, Stathis moved between them, pulling the figure from the fire, shaking them before embers could settle onto their clothing. They were small and slight, their skin sallow and drawn painfully tight over bones.

‘You’re awake now then?’ She had to hold them away as they tried to bite her, teeth as large and sharp as Skotadi’s. ‘None of that!’ She conjured up a mote of light and sent it towards them, the thing blinking out as soon as it touched their skin, making them relax slightly. ‘You shouldn’t eat things that aren’t yours. If you wanted food, then you just had to ask. Or there’s that.’ She pointed up at the sun, feeling them twist in her hand.

The air around them started to turn black, the light literally draining from the air.

‘Not that much!’

Skotadi sighed as her throne re-appeared, boosting her upwards, and letting her reach out to touch them. Darkness flickered between them, and he made a contended sigh.

‘That should sustain him somewhat. Although he was ever-greedy.’

Stathis put him back down, and he was able to stand, although was still hunched over, shaggy hair hiding his eyes.

Do try and stand up properly! Have some manners.

Dark energy appeared, pulling on their shoulders, trying to pull their body into the right shapes. They wriggled against it, resisting, the energy getting drawn into them and suddenly snapping out of existence.

‘Maybe we should get them talking before working on posture?’

They stumbled towards Skotadi, waving a hand through the air, a barrier briefly flickering into existence to slow it, before it cracked, the energy getting drawn away. Janaxia raised her hand, dark energy streaming around her fingers, getting drawn towards them. Skotadi made an annoyed growl, before speaking in the Unspeakable Tongue, the sound still rough and grating on Stathis’ ears, making her head throb as the sounds faded from memory.

Whenever they tried to speak back, Skotadi overrode them, not letting them get a word in, Stathis quietly talking to Janaxia. ‘What is she saying?’

Oh, she is merely upbraiding him for his lack of manners.

‘Maybe you should stop her? I don’t want them to fight.’

She’s being quite calm. I think he is still a little dazed from his slumber – and somewhat hungry still. It has been a long time since he wore a human form, so I suppose some slack may be granted.

‘And “he”?’

Skotadi seems quite sure. And, well… a blade is a rather masculine thing, is it not? Very… pointed and penetrating.

‘Uh, sure. Is he going to try and destroy anything?’

Well, food. Or magical energy, although Skotadi is keeping him sustained. I suppose it would be only fair to ask Armoniki for a donation later.

The sunlight was dappling strangely around the Blade, his skin shimmering, drinking in the light. Through his hair, Stathis caught a glimpse of steel-grey eyes behind their hair, their clothing rippling, changing into plain, but intact, trousers, and a plain shirt, both black. Their skin was darker than Skotadi’s, a deep tan beneath dusky skin, split with scars, and some mostly-healed wounds.

Hmm, I would prefer a little more style, but I suppose I am unlikely to be much of a role model for this one. I suppose you should be flattered though – you seem to have made an impression.

Stathis looked again, seeing that their outfit was a mirror of hers, albeit smaller.

I will have to assure Skotadi that this doesn’t make him a competitor for your affections – she is rather protective of me, which is quite charming! And her threats have a wonderful, rolling cadence to them, that can sometimes be rather poetic.

‘Uh, are you sure that’s a good thing?’

Oh, she doesn’t mean any harm. I think she will calm down given time. Janaxia pressed herself tightly against Stathis. And when she that you are loyal and dependable. She leaned in, kissing Stathis on the cheek. ‘Although now might be a good time for food, even though it is rather earlier than I might like. If you will excuse me, I will have a lunch bought out. A large lunch.’

She blinked away in a puff of darkness, her warmth suddenly gone. Skotadi was still talking to the Blade, although her words seemed less harsh now, the Blade looking around with a little more interest. When he saw Stathis, he stared at her, eyes bright through his messy hair. He immediately stood up straighter, emulating her stance. Darkness shimmered around his hand, a fishing spear forming, crafted of solid darkness.

Skotadi grumbled before conjuring up her throne, although now it was more of a floating chaise lounge, letting her recline idly, complete with a shadowy parasol to keep her comfortably hidden from the sun.

The Blade turned to look at Stathis, before jabbing with the spear. Stathis jumped backwards, evading the strike, stooping to pick up her own.

‘Hey!’

She looked at Skotadi, who gave an ostentatious yawn, then had to raise the spear in two hands to block, feeling the shock through the weapon, the Blade’s strength greater than it should be from his small body. They attacked again, moving fast, stabbing forward, Stathis deflecting and countering. She’d rather have her armour, a shield and a sword! Her spear stabbed forward, the haft of the Blade’s spear flicking around and deflecting her attack.

He was fast, switching between close and far attacks, using the length of the spear to full advantage, although Stathis still had reach on them, thanks to her greater size. He jumped, kicking up sand, Stathis jumping backwards herself, not looking upwards, not wanting to blind herself. His attack hit the ground, sending up a bigger plume of dirt, mingling with ash and embers, the fire now extinguished.

The weapons clashed, Stathis’ weapon clanging, the pole of shadow not making any sound. They didn’t make any noise either, although their face was more animated now.

They traded blows, Stathis gauging their strength – they were more powerful than they looked, although didn’t seem to be striking to kill. She knocked an attack aside, trying to hit them with the haft of her own weapon, but they were too fast, dodging backwards, the tip coming up.

Something jumped between them, hands grabbing at the shadow-spear and wrenching it from the hands of the Blade with a twist. The weapon faded away, vanishing into nothingness.

‘Is this, like, a trying-to-kill thing, or just-for-fun? And who’s this one?’ Semari dodged as the Blade conjured up a knife of solid shadows and lunged for them – she grabbed his wrist and spun, twisting around to throw him through the air, towards Skotadi on her floating couch. He flew through the air, crashing into her, the couch rocking slightly in the air, Skotadi squealing indignantly, the two of them dangling together.

‘Semari! What are you doing here?’

‘Looking for you! You can’t just, like, save the world and then go on holiday. There’s lots of people that want to know where you are! Kethys gave me a tip-off.’

Stathis groaned. ‘So who else is with you? Not a full Iristari delegation I hope?’

‘Nah. Got Brina on board though. She’s probably willing to keep quiet for a bit.’

‘That’s… something, I suppose.’

Skotadi and the Blade had detached themselves, Skotadi pushing them away. He immediately turned back to Semari, a pair of knives appearing as he attacked again. She blocked both attacks, twisting around him and getting him in a grapple, pinning his limbs with her own.

‘Uh, maybe go easy? I’m not sure if that’s a good idea…’

‘Needs to learn you can’t, like, just attack people!’

‘You do!’

‘Only when it’s funny. Or they deserve it. Or I feel like it!’ They were straining against the grapple, but lacked the strength or leverage to get out, getting easily moved around by Semari. Skotadi dusted herself off, looking smug, but keeping a safe distance.

‘Janaxia should be back soon, with food. The Blade has only just woken up, I think he’s hungry, so careful he doesn’t bite you.’

‘Oh, biters are easy. Just don’t get near the mouth.’ She tightened her grip, the Blade’s arms now bent at painful angles, his struggles subsiding. ‘So, you’ve been hiding here? Pretty fancy!’

‘Yeah, Janaxia wanted to visit, she’d heard about it somewhere. Managed to get credit. Quite nice, and we deserved a break. How have you been?’

‘Busy! I got drafted.’ She glared at Stathis. ‘Been fighting gribblies. For shit pay! Decent board though, I guess. Managed to pull some strings, got put onto the “finding you” team. Seems you’re obscured from magic as well?’

‘Skotadi did… something, yeah.’

It seemed best to have some privacy. And this place is suitable for one of my status, well-staffed and stocked. Even if my siblings are also present!

Smartly-dressed staff appeared, the head butler looking at Semari for a moment, before gesturing with a hand to have another place set for her after Stathis nodded in approval. More staff approached, setting out food and drink.

‘Well, let’s eat and you can tell me all about it. And how long I have until everyone else descends!’

She raised a hand, fingers spread, indicating that even more seats should be prepared.