by Thomas Green
She was curious about the name of the brand Jean Pierre was using to sell her. She approached the smithies, knowing Jean Pierre’s workshop, the Nine Heaven’s Smithy was bound to be there. While the shop lay besieged by people, Luna could see the massive sign at the head of the house. The letters etched upon the sign read: ‘Raven and The Beast collection available!’
The Beast? Luna’s blood froze.
‘Fits us well.’
It’s not supposed to!
‘At least we get paid for it. Didn’t you want to become rich?’
I wanted a new life, not gold. I could have stolen that if I ever desired to. Luna weighed the pouch in her hand. Plus, being a human-eating monster was not supposed to pay off. She shook her head and headed toward the clothing boutiques.
Despite refusing to admit it, shopping was a lot more entertaining with full pockets. Luna got everything she thought of, continued through a spa and a hairdresser and finished in a fancy restaurant, eating a meal where she didn't understand a single word from its name. Since she figured this was her last day of freedom as she would be caught and executed at the evening event, she spared no expense and splurged till she ran out of ideas on what to spend the gold on.
She changed at the Alnil temple in the now-clean garden house and headed toward Salazar’s palace, having no dried blood on her or her clothes for the first time in months.
27
Luna
The Palace of Xona was a wild mixture of marble and wood. The entire building appeared as if it once was a tree, one into which men built a palace of marble while the walls of the castle seemed more formal than practical, for while the natural wood covered by blossoming flowers looked stunning, climbing over it would not be a challenge. In the bloody light of the sunset, Luna stood by the fountain of the round square that ended by the palace gate and watched the people swarming into them.
Nobles, businessmen, performers, famous adventurers, all held onto the brown envelope containing their invitation as if inside lay the most valuable treasure of their lives. Since she possessed no such envelope, Luna enjoyed the peaceful sunset and waited.
A carriage clad in gold stopped by the gate. Luna recognized the symbol of an anvil wreathed in runes and slid behind the fountain, disappearing out of sight. From the carriage walked Jean Pierre Castagnet. He didn’t as much as look around before he headed inside.
The beast within scoffed. ‘It’s not like you can hide from him for the whole evening.’
I will have to. I can’t get Jean Pierre dragged into whatever I will have to do. Plus, I have no answer to him asking me how I am doing.
‘What stops you from lying?’
Oh, I will lie. I will lie so hard that my tongue will file its resignation. But I’m afraid I will explode into tears the second I think about how my life is.
‘It’s not so bad.’
She shook her head. It was so bad. The number of innocent lives that were snuffed because of her, whether directly or not, hung above her like a guillotine. And she knew there would be more, making her wish she had the liberty to walk away into the wilderness never to see civilization again. She didn’t. She had to eat aether, so cities were her only option.
Jean Pierre disappeared beyond the gate, and Luna exhaled with relief.
A sharp female voice echoed from Luna's rear. “Hiding behind the fountain? I sense a story I would like to hear.”
Luna jumped in her skin and whirled. She froze the second she saw her. In the light of dusk stood a woman dressed in high boots, leather pants and a tunic covered by medals. At her waist hung a sword with a golden hilt while over her shoulders fluttered a cloak woven of gold and rubies. Her crimson hair glistened in the fading light, framing her young face, emphasizing her piercing emerald eyes.
The woman’s expression turned into a satisfied smile. “Name’s Miranda and I’m your partner for the party.”
Luna stared at her, mouth gaping.
Miranda gave her a long moment. “Stop drooling! We need to go, now.”
Luna blinked and recovered from the shock. She shook her head, forced her mouth to close, and wiped her saliva off her chin and tunic. She’s like a painting of perfection given life. “Sorry, I’m Luna.”
“I know.” Miranda passed her, heading toward the palace gate.
Luna caught up to walk beside her. “Sorry.”
“Stop apologizing. It’s pathetic.”
“Yes, ma’am!”
Miranda sighed. “I didn’t use my title for a reason. Yes, I am a high-ranked officer, but I hate being called by the titles. Understand?”
This is not going well at all. Luna nodded. “What’s my mission for tonight?”
“To entertain me.”
Errr… what? Luna’s eyes widened. “I… I’m not sure.”
Miranda threw her an amused look. With a lightning-fast movement, she spun on her heel, caught Luna by the waist and pushed herself to her. The smoky scent of myrrh punched Luna into the nose as Miranda leaned in toward Luna’s ear. “There are many ways two girls can have fun at night,” she whispered and then slowly detached, sliding her hands by Luna’s back and sides.
All of Luna’s senses exploded. Miranda’s touch was electrifying, her scent intoxicating, and her presence overwhelming. Luna stared into nowhere, her mind blank, her heart pounding so vigorously she feared it would fly out through her mouth.
The beast growled into her mind. ‘Pull yourself together and start acting normally!’
We are not going to eat her!
He chuckled. ‘At least not in the way we usually eat people.’
Since when do you have this type of feelings?
He laughed. ‘I am fully functional in all ways, it’s just that this is the first time we have met someone I like. So don’t mess this up.’
Miranda woke Luna up with a tug on her sleeve. “We need to go.”
Luna shook her head to clear it and traced with her gaze where Miranda was looking. Ahead of them towered an old man dressed in decorated robes.
His eyes were tired, but still piercing. “Why do I find myself overwhelmed by the feeling that there is a context to this, one that has been hidden from me?”
Miranda’s face turned into a poisonous grin. “Come on, Nash, life would be boring if you knew everything. This is Luna. Luna, meet Archbishop Nashimaeal, the head of the clergy of the Holy Order of Palai.”
Luna bowed, not knowing what to say, do, or think.
Nashimaeal smiled. “Be at ease, for such formalities are unnecessary. Let us go in.”
With her stomach tied into a knot full of butterflies, and her legs feeling as if they were made of lead, Luna followed the archbishop and Miranda to the palace gate. The archbishop waved his invitation through the air, and the guards stepped aside, letting him pass.
As Miranda tried to follow, a guard blocked her path. “Invitation please, ma’am.”
Miranda’s expression hardened to stone, and her voice became but a lethal whisper. “When did you fall under the illusion you could stop me? Hmm?”
The man’s eyes widened. “But… ma’am…”
A tall, scar-faced man bearing the insignia of the tree, the symbol of the army of Xona, approached. “Is there a problem?”
Miranda pierced him with a glare. “Your men’s survival instinct seems to be lacking, captain.”
The man froze and then bowed. “I apologize for my men, ma’am. Please, enjoy the party.”
Miranda smirked as she stepped forward while the guards cleared the way. Luna gulped and followed her, looking into the ground, pretending to be invisible.
Archbishop Nashimaeal awaited them a hundred feet ahead, his face twisted into a painful frown. “I cannot help but ponder the necessity of this display, Miranda.”
She laughed and waved her invitation in her hand. “Was this necessary? No. Amusing? Yes!”
The archbishop’s voice stayed calm but harsh. “We are here to make amends, not to entertain ourselves. Or is the
re a part of your assignment I have been, perhaps, misinformed about?”
“Partially.” Miranda grinned. “I’m here to substitute Lucas, so I can’t do what he wouldn’t do.”
Nashimaeal sighed. “I hoped that would not have been the case.”
“Oh, come on, Nash, take it from the bright side. I am neither here to torture or assassinate anyone nor to put the place to torch or anything else I normally do.”
Nashimaeal’s eyes narrowed. “While I understand your presence being a punishment, my soul would rest calmer was it to know your actual intentions for this event.”
“Not much. I’m planning to get drunk, make a few lords soil themselves and finish the evening on a high note, having a sweet pussy. The usual party plan. Nothing special.”
Luna turned red, and her heart pounded even wilder than before.
Nashimaeal smiled. “Finally a plan I can agree with.”
Miranda’s eyes widened in surprise. “That’s not what I expected you to say.”
“I know.” Nashimaeal motioned them forward. “Despite my appearance, I am aware of who I am working with and cannot overlook your results. While I abhor the methods you and Lucas employ, I cannot deny the fact that Grimdawn is the first city to abolish slavery and proclaim Palai its official religion. Thus, in retrospect, I may have been overly harsh back in Cinderwell.”
They ascended the stairs to the hall destined to hold the party. A bend of wood, plants, and marble formed the interior of the Xona palace. The mixture was chaotic, with flowers sprouting out of the walls straight next to famous paintings, yet it carried a certain charm, one that fascinated Luna to no end.
The hall hosting the event encompassed a massive dance floor, tables laden with food and alcohol scattered by the sides, and a large orchestra playing by its end. Opulent chandeliers formed by a mixture of roots, crystals, and candles bathed the place with pleasant light. In terms of decorations, the area appeared barren compared to the main hall of the festival held in Grimdawn. Yet in terms of impression, the festival now seemed petty and tasteless.
Even in her wildest dreams, she never imagined she would ever be so out of place as she was here. Luna gulped as cold crept up her spine. This will be an utter disaster!
“I fear I need to go fulfill my purpose for being here,” Nashimaeal said, “yet my task would be easier if I had at least a rough knowledge of who else from the Union is about to be involved in a future, tragic accident.”
Miranda threw him a provocative smile. “Everyone. Our political push to have the city-states abolish slavery won’t succeed for as long as the Union has any power to fight us.”
“I wish this surprised me.” Nashimaeal stepped out into the hall.
Miranda grabbed Luna by the waist and pulled her closer. “Why don’t you get us some drinks? Hmm?”
Luna swallowed her heart, allowing herself to speak. “Sure.”
“Good.” Miranda rubbed Luna’s back before she let her go.
Half-dazed, Luna headed to the nearest table. She gazed at the silver goblets, grabbed a full bottle instead, pried open the cork, and turned it over into her mouth.
Myrrh filled her nose as the heat of Miranda’s body seeped into her back. With a vicious smirk, she caught the bottle to stop Luna from putting it down from her lips.
Miranda pressed her second hand over Luna’s chest, pushing Luna onto her. Miranda’s soft lips touched Luna’s ear. “I hope you didn’t plan to quit halfway.”
Luna dared not to wrestle and kept drinking. A minute later, the entire contents of the bottle disappeared within her stomach.
Miranda put the bottle back onto the table. “Since you drank my share of the drink, you better plan to ask me to dance.”
Luna’s pounding heart spread the alcohol through her veins in moments. She had to focus to speak. “J… James only taught me how to dance like a man.”
“Seems as if he knew what to teach you.”
The beast inside her laughed into her mind. ‘Told you.’
As she searched through her memory, Luna took Miranda’s hand and led her to the dance floor. To her surprise, Luna recognized the basic rhythm of the song and assigned it to a dance James taught her when she was young. The cavern of ice where he raised her was but a vision of a different life. In those days, she did not understand why he would teach her things like formal dances. But now, she was glad he did, so happy she had to bite back the tears crawling up into her eyes.
“Now, before you become too drunk, we need to sort the business part.” Miranda woke Luna up from her nostalgic daze. “There will be a mission here in Xona. I will meet you three hours before midnight of the day after your match, in your cell.”
It took Luna a full minute before she realized she should have answered. She pushed her mind away from the intoxication of Miranda’s touch and focused on speaking. “Sure.”
“Good. Sate my curiosity, how did Lucas recruit you?”
The memory of that night gave her nightmares, yet now as she coursed through the dance floor while holding Miranda, it felt only as a bad dream she had an eternity ago. “He almost killed me, but then changed his mind.”
“Do you know why?”
Luna shook her head.
“You scratched him.” Miranda smiled. “This is the one thing you need to understand about the Order. Within its military, there is one policy, one philosophy, one currency, one faith, and one goal. Strength. Strength to grasp your dreams, to fulfill your purpose, to cling to your life. You proved Lucas you were strong enough to deserve a chance. That is why you are alive and why we are here.”
Luna’s eyes widened.
“Don’t give me the scared puppy eyes. They don’t suit you.”
A bulky man with a monocle flanked by four guards approached them from the side. “How dare you show yourself in here, murderer!”
They stopped mid-movement to face the shouting man.
“If it isn’t John Leker, the Slaver Union’s representative of Xona,” Miranda’s eyes hardened in sharp contrast to her pleasant smile. “And here I thought you would wait for your turn patiently.”
Leker pierced Luna with a hate-filled glare. “What audacity! She murdered innocent children in cold blood. She has no right to live, much less to parade herself here!”
Luna’s blood froze. Did the mine overseer rat me out? She tried to speak, but couldn’t. All she did was to stare.
Miranda stepped between her and Leker. “And?”
He stopped, his mouth frozen mid-movement. He took a short pause to recompose himself. “You are the worst bunch of hypocrites I have ever seen. You call us evil, yet we are a legitimate business that provides a living for millions while you are mere murderers who hide behind a symbol of faith.” His gaze turned from Miranda back to Luna. “I should have you put down like the twisted mongrel you are.”
Green-golden robes weaved through the air as Prince Stallington approached the slaver. “Mr. Leker, must I remind you that acting against a member of the Union’s teams is punishable by expulsion?”
Leker glowered at him. “This is none of your business, Stallington!”
“Luna is a valuable part of my team, and thus, I am afraid, everything related to her is very much my business. Moreover, the unfortunate demise of Mr. Lawland’s family is still being investigated. Your accusations are, therefore, unfounded and I fear I shall need to demand retribution for your blatant attempt to stain my name.” Stallington straightened his back, towering above Leker. “Unless, of course, I have you first executed for ignoring my position.”
Leker wavered. “This isn’t the end of this!” He spun on his heel and retreated.
Stallington smirked and turned to Luna. “I apologize for the interruption. Please enjoy your evening.”
Miranda threw Stallington an inquisitive stare. “You don’t seem to be appropriately afraid.”
The prince laughed. “I am old. I have long made my precautions, and I do not see the difference between being felle
d by Luna’s claws, succumbing to poison administered by one of your assassins or dying of a heart attack that’s already thirty years overdue. Plus, I am still a prince. I do not have the luxury of avoiding battles, not since I had claimed the title from the corpse of the previous ruler of Illysaeas.”
“At least one of you slavers has a spine.” Miranda smiled and weaved back to Luna.
“Thank… you.” Luna stuttered.
Stallington smiled and disappeared into the crowd.
Miranda nudged Luna to continue the dance.
Luna didn’t react.
Miranda raised an eyebrow. “What’s wrong?”
“I killed them… for no reason.” The realization still hadn’t fully descended upon her, but a mere glimpse of it was bad enough. Tears filled her eyes as her insides turned to solid ice. “I killed Lawland’s children… for no result.”
“Come.” Miranda pulled Luna by her sleeve to a balcony. “Yes, you left behind seven witnesses, all of whom identified you as the murderer of the Lawland family.”
Luna couldn’t speak. She gazed upon the sprawling city of Xona, feeling hollow.
“The next time you want to leave no witnesses, you need to pick a spear and stab all the bodies. People try to fake being dead and hide between corpses of others,” Miranda explained as if she was telling her a recipe for a cake. “Not that it’s a big deal though. Revealing your connection to the Order doesn’t matter anymore since we are past being stealthy about this. Plus, Stallington cares about winning the tournament more than about petty bullshit like his team containing a serial murderer.”
“But after… the tournament… they will hunt me,” Luna whispered. “Hunt me down… and kill me.”
“Regions don’t share the lists of wanted criminals, and when they do, they do so through the Order, anyway. Your bounty posters won’t reach the lands we control, like Xona.”
But they will make it to Grimdawn, Redwall, Illysaeas, Slupsey, and Sonenheim. All the other cities in the region. She gulped. Xona is the last place I can go to once the tournament ends. “Why would the Order… do that for me?”
