by Aaron Crash
Ymir felt oddly disappointed, but what else should he have expected from the fairy?
However, things changed when the fairy flew back, turned human, and dropped onto one knee to snatch the sword out of the sand. She exhaled. “Kaiyee, Gishe! I will not speak in Winkle Tongue.”
Gatha lashed out with the sword, but Ziziva was fast and stepped to the side. It was all instinct, but her movements were so unexpected and quick the she-orc’s blade fell to the sand.
Gatha nodded, rainwater dripping off her hood. “Kaiyee, Ersh! We understand each other.”
Ribby came in on a wave, slithered, and again clung to Ymir with her tentacles. “The fairy fled, but she came back, and the fact that Gatha couldn’t hit her has won our little Ziziva some much needed respect.”
Ymir didn’t disagree. Ribby fell back into the water.
Ymir felt his vision blur, and suddenly he wasn’t seeing the beach, nor Gatha and Ziziva practicing. He floated out of the water.
He’d not had a vision in a long time, nor had he levitated without meaning to. He could dispel the magic with a simple Flow cantrip, but he didn’t. Instead, he let himself see with his dusza.
He saw the Sun Gate, which guarded the Red Wall, the eastern ramparts of the college. Vempor’s Road was the paved scarlet street that connected the Majestrial to StormCry below.
A caravan of fine carriages pulled by big, black horses was making its way up Vempor’s Road. Those were the heirs to the Holy Theranus Empire, and they would be arriving at the Sun Gate within the hour.
Della would be hurrying to greet them. Ymir could feel that she didn’t want to be there alone. Gharam and his soldiers were gathering professors as a welcoming party, but that would take some time.
Ymir could get there faster if he left now.
“Jelu jelarum.” Ymir swept the magic away, ready to fall into the waves. He landed on his feet.
He waited for Ribby to swim by, then grabbed her and pulled her from the water. He kissed her cold cheek. “I have to do a service for our Princept. Stay and make sure that Gatha doesn’t hurt Ziziva too much.”
“Not that I can do shit out of the water, barbarian, but I’ll think of something.” She kissed him back before he let her go.
Ymir marched across the beach. “I have business,” he said abruptly to the she-orc and the fairy.
The Fayee didn’t tease him or throw rhymes. She merely kept her pose.
Ymir liked that. And he answered her question from before. “Gatha is having you use the prokta blades because they are heavy. You need to learn the feel of steel if you’re going to be worth a squirt of elk shit on the battlefield.”
He jogged to the metal rungs pounded into the wet rock. He crawled about halfway up, then left the ladder to cling to the exterior of the Flow apartments. He remembered his route using drainpipes and ledges to climb across the cliffside apartments so he could cut across to get to the Zoo. He had to run past the Chapel of the Tree, but soon he was in the Zoo, changing out of his wet clothes and putting on fresh robes. He tied his hair back with a leather thong. He thought about taking his ax, but instead he slipped on three extra rings—the Yellow Scorch, the Winter Ice, and the Gather Breath.
To think, he’d choose magical rings over cold steel.
He met Della just as she was racing down the steps from her mezzanine office. “What are you doing here?”
He grinned at her. “It’s not every day you get to meet the heirs to an empire well past its prime. Why don’t you and I take it? We can hold our power with our legions of orc warriors, Della Virtorg.”
She smiled as well, which surprised him. “We’ll see if we find any of the heirs worthy, Ymir Virtorg. If not, then we shall seize power. Your elf girl can rule Greenhome. Jennybelle would like nothing more than to cut her sister’s throat and rule the Swamp Coast. That leaves the Sorrow Coast. But you can manage that, can’t you?”
He cocked his head. “With relative ease.”
The pair fell into lockstep, hurrying out through the Throne Auditorium and the main avenue that led to the Sun Gate. For Ymir, it was odd he spent so little time on the eastern part of campus. To have a home and to not walk every inch was something strange to consider. And yet, it was the reality of his situation—he lived in Moons, studied in Moons and Flow, and ran a business on the Sea Stair Market. Mostly, though, he spent his time reading on the second floor of the Librarium Citadel. That was his true home.
Speaking of his reading, Della had been doing work on her own. “I found more about the author of our almanac. He was a simple farmer living outside of Four Roads, back during the Age of Discord. It was he and his seven wives, and it was their work on the book together that drew the attention of the vempor—that would’ve been Faegen the Cripple. He called them heretics and had them all imprisoned. He killed the man, Enjambin Fannrilk, and then Faegen added his seven wives to his harem, though the Cripple liked to kill as much as he liked to fuck.”
“Stupid and cruel,” Ymir said.
“Agreed.” Della had the wind and fitness to walk quickly and talk just as fast. “It was the wives that worked to get the final versions of the book published. Seven books for each of them. It would’ve been the wives who put the seeds in the bindings.”
“The wives needed to work on their prose,” Ymir growled. “I find whole passages worthless, and so far, I’ve not found anything on the Akkiric Rings. Interesting, it was written fifteen generations before Aegel Akkridor’s birth. There is a great deal on keeping the nipples of your cow healthy. It’s as far from magic as I would know to write. No wonder it wasn’t kept in the Illuminates Spire.”
Della laughed. “Healthy nipples are important. With five women around you all the time, I would imagine you know that.”
“I suppose so.”
They were approaching the Sun Gate. Della turned and grabbed his arm. “When we meet the royal family, I will do the talking. I like that you are with me. More and more, the world needs to know that you aren’t a mere scholar here. You will be a force on Thera.”
Ymir grimaced. “I don’t want to be a force anywhere. I want to keep my women safe and my home protected. For now, it’s Old Ironbound. The rest of your continent might as well be covered in elk shit.”
“This grand, shitty continent is also your home now, Ymir. Your world is far bigger than this school. If I didn’t believe that, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing. I would’ve killed you the instant I learned that you’d forged ring number two.”
Ymir thought to point out that she was working with him as much for herself as anyone. Though, the look in her storm-cloud eyes told the truer story. She did believe in him. He found it troubling. If it had been any other woman, he’d have laughed it off. However, he’d grown to respect Della Pennez, not as a Princept, but as a force herself. She was brave, relentless, smart, and savage. She didn’t let the silly rules of her people get in the way. It was as if she had shoved the Axman away and was forging her own path.
“You will do the talking,” Ymir said finally. “I will stand with you.”
“Good.” Della paused. “We don’t know who killed Acadius, and it could be the assassin is in the royal party we are about to house. Keep your eyes open. You and I need to have a long discussion about my past, for there are things you don’t know about me.”
“I know some,” Ymir said. “I had to use the Veil Tear Ring to get to the truth of Hayleesia Heenn and her plot to undo you. And later, I delved into the history of the Ironcoats, who had lived in Four Roads.”
“We’ll see how much you know at some later point.”
Then she moved and gestured for the Gruul women guarding the gate to open the doors. “I noticed your jewelry, Ymir, and I find it brave and indiscreet.”
“I only have so much patience for your secrets and plotting. We’ll greet these people. We’ll hear their stories. And then you’ll use the Veil Tear Ring to get to the truth of the murder. We have to protect the Majestrial.”
“That we do,” Della agreed.
The first horses came into view, pulling ornate carriages. Others pulled large wagons covered in waterproof skins with ropes strapped down tight. It seemed that the royal family of the Holy Theranus Empire thought their stay would be of some duration.
Chapter Twenty-One
YMIR STOOD WITH DELLA inside the Sun Gate while the Princept welcomed the royal family from Four Roads. They came with an entourage of human, Ohlyrran, and Gruul soldiers, and even a single Fayee, the royal family’s personal liaison to the Undergem Guild. The fact that another fairy had come to Old Ironbound didn’t make Ymir feel much better, and he wondered if Gatha’s first lesson with Ziziva had ended in bloodshed. Poor Ribby wouldn’t have the breath to stop it.
The fairy was Anny Prettytoad. She had light green hair that looked so soft, like moss on a luxuriant riverbank. Prettytoad indeed. The rest of the people who came out of the carriages all melted into a blur. Not only were their names all very similar, but their faces were all of a singular nature. They were a fair-haired, fair-skinned people, with sharp noses. Arlynda Appleford, the matriarch, the mother of the slain, had a nose like a knife.
The Appleford family had ruled the Holy Theranus Empire for generations. There were three boys who might become vempor depending on the negotiations. Unlike other empires and kingdoms, the eldest boy didn’t necessarily become the ruler. Instead, a council of family members, guild masters, and world leaders made suggestions. The heir was chosen by consensus.
Acadius had seven widows, but only three wives had made the trip. All were older women, seemingly stricken with grief. All bowed before Arlynda, however, a fat woman who pretended to be young with thick white hair that fell about her head in curls. It was Form magic that kept her hair lush.
There were legions of children, mostly girls given the state of the Withering, but the three boys, all from different mothers, had been sent to Old Ironbound to be kept safe until the council decided on who would rule.
The three likeliest candidates for the throne were at the Majestrial. There was Erwin, the oldest, an ungainly man with the largest nose and little manners. He had the best chance of becoming the next vempor, and he knew it. Fannen was better and younger, and he seemed polite, if a little weak. He had almost no chin to speak of. Lastly, there was a boy scarcely a man, named Jaykkalongus but shortened. His nose was thin, but it complemented his intelligent eyes.
Jayke knew exactly what was expected of him. As the youngest, he had the worst chance of taking the throne. However, between the elven advisors, the human relatives, and the Gruul guard, there was a chance they could choose him. When it was his turn to introduce himself, he said he was Jaykkalongus Appleford, and that he was very honored to be at Old Ironbound and to be meeting both the Princept and the most powerful scholar at the school, the barbarian with the dusza.
Ymir merely nodded his head. He’d grown accustomed to his unwanted fame. Normally, it would’ve helped him bed more women, but he already had five women to keep satisfied. And soon, perhaps a sixth.
Gharam Ssornap came charging up, still tightening the straps of the prosthetic arm covering his stump. He was in full armor, and he looked fierce and intimidating, flanked by his wives, who were also in full armor.
There was to be a reception that night in the Imperial Palace to officially welcome the Applefords. Also, Della mentioned sand letters from other dignitaries and rulers who wanted to relay a welcome to the family. All were grateful that the school was taking steps to ensure the safety of the royal family. There was talk of an assemblage between the leaders after the Winter Solstice Festival, to welcome in the new year, to discuss the next vempor, and to speculate on King Shapta, the demon conqueror of the southern continent.
It would be very similar to the guest list that had come for the Kurzig Durgha—Glagga the Blade would make the journey since, so far, she was doing well uniting the three city-states of the Blood Steppes. Of course, Arribelle Josen from the Swamp Coast would come, as would King Velis Naoar IX of the Sorrow Coast Kingdom, who would bring knights and that blasted moustache of his. Leaders from the Farmington Collective would make the short trip down from Kingwater. There would also be a smattering of other leaders and scholars from other universities.
Until a new vempor was chosen, the acting regent in Four Roads would be Caemon Vinn, the Bloody Dawn Guild’s master, who was also a friend of the Appleford family. It was agreed that Caemon Vinn had no political aspirations and would take on the role of regent mostly to alleviate the fears of the citizens. Most people didn’t care. And Caemon Vinn had far more power as a guild master than he would as a vempor.
Ymir wasn’t quite sure why there were so many people interested in the Holy Theranus Empire. Then again, a strong ruler might make something of the decrepit empire, which would further destabilize the continent.
Once the introductions were done, Ymir moved off, grateful that he didn’t have to waste his time being friendly to people he couldn’t care less about. Della was far more suited for leadership than he was. He could tell she didn’t exactly relish her role as diplomat, but she did it nonetheless. The Alumni Consortium was sending people to help her. Yannc Winslo had been close enough to be on her way and would arrive that night, but most of the help was several days away. Della would have to entertain the guests herself.
The Appleford entourage was given rooms in the Imperial Palace, on the second floor. Brodor had made special towers, which would be guarded, in the Sunfire Field, just as an added precaution.
Ymir tried to beg off, but Della asked that he join them at the reception that night. He wanted to bring at least one of his wives, probably Jennybelle, so she could take part in the insipid conversation, but Della said only he had the invitation. Ymir was adamant against going until Della sweetened the deal. The Princept would trade her time with the almanac for his hours at the party.
That night, in his rough scholar robes, Ymir made his way to the Imperial Palace’s Reception Room. Gatha said her lesson with Ziziva went well, though when the fairy had flown away, the she-orc had hoped she wouldn’t come back. That hadn’t been the case. Gatha also said that the damn water was freezing, but she’d waded out into the Weeping Sea to hold Ribby and give her a long kiss.
If only they could restore Ribby. If only.
Ymir was not happy he had to pause his studies to go to the event. He assumed that the only bright part of the evening would be the food and seeing Tori. The dwab would be working the event, providing food and drink to the royal family and their guards.
Ymir walked into the Reception Room to see most of the faculty there, a good number of local government officials from StormCry, and the blue-haired Dillyday Everjewel and her pink-haired bodyguard, Jacinta Sugartime. Tori had hurried to provide more pastries, some sausage rolls, and a spicy herbed meat wrapped in lettuce leaves. The kitchen had included the dark festival beer, so the evening wouldn’t be a complete waste.
Ymir found a corner where Tori was stationed, ate plate after plate of food, and drank mug after mug of beer.
The happy dwab drifted near him while wiping up the table and remixing some of the sauces. “Gosh, you needn’t stand there scowling, Ymir. You could at least go and talk to Mistress Everjewel. You might get her to slip up and tell you all her secrets.”
Dillyday Everjewel had been glancing over at him, giving him looks. At times, she smiled at him. Other times Queen Deedee frowned at him.
Ymir had enough patience for only one fairy in his life, and currently, that spot was held by Ziziva Honeygood. However, Ymir was destined to interact with another fairy that night.
The third son, Jayke Appleford, walked up with the green-haired fairy on his shoulder. Ymir had to admit that the green hair did look so soft, and he found himself fascinated by it.
Jayke was drinking wine, clearly watered down. The youth had a shy smile. “Hello. I’m Jaykkalongus Appleford. You can call me Jayke. I had to come over and introduce myself.”<
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“You were a scaredy princeling!” the fairy erupted and flew off the boy’s shoulder in a splash of glitter. She smelled good, sweet and feminine. “I had to give the nervous child the nerve, nerve, nerve to come and talk to the barbarian with magic. Blessed or cursed, who can tell? The joy of heaven, or the fires of hell?”
When she fluttered up to him, Ymir put his mug of beer between him and the Fayee. He made it clear he didn’t want the foot-tall woman touching him.
She flew back to Jayke’s shoulder.
The boy winced. “Come on, Anny. Don’t embarrass me.”
Ymir decided to ignore the Fayee. “Why did you want to talk to me?” He didn’t call Jayke “boy,” which was his first instinct since he was so young. And he couldn’t bring himself to use any other honorific, like your highness or whatnot. This child wasn’t any better than Ymir for his royal birth. He’d merely come squirting out a lucky cunt, and that took neither talent nor skill.
Jayke blushed. “You’re famous. I mean, it’s not just that you came down from the north, that you have a dusza, it’s what you’ve done while you were here. Did you really single-handedly drive back the merfolk?”
Ymir laughed. “No, I had help. But I did win the Kurzig Durgha all by myself.”
Jayke joined him in laughing. “Now you are teasing me. My father was here for the tournament. He told me what happened. The mermaid who sacrificed herself to save Gatha of Ssunash. The treachery of Gulnash the Betrayer. That final battle in the Librarium Citadel where you and Della Pennez slayed the villain.”
They had not kept the fact that Ribby was still alive a secret. It was simply that not many cared about the fate of an Aquaterreb princess other than to tell the story. The better story was that Ribby had died.
Jayke threw Della a glance. There was some heat in his eyes, a strange look of longing mixed with recognition. The youth seemed to remember himself and glanced at the ground. The fairy on his shoulder tittered. “Ymirry dearie did trick the Aquaterreb in the end. And slayed many, many, many, for he is a powerful warrior as well as a wizard-y wizard.”
