Jeeves was unsurprisingly quiet as he took time to consider the absolute Bomb Drop of news delivered. Ash felt new tears fall as she confessed what she had done. She was practically panting and began to feel almost feverish. Like some self-preservation within her was balking.

  Somehow, despite how awful what she was saying made her feel about who she'd been, it was also a relief. There was no turning back, whatever the consequences. She’d done it. And she’d defied expediency… for once in her life, she exposed herself for principle over advantage, or out of a feeling that she had no choice. She could’ve lied and deceived, could’ve buried it like the coward she always was. In relinquishing that grip, there was a certain, strange freedom.

  Finally, Jeeves replied gently, “You aren’t scum, Ash, and even if you are, you’re our kind of scum. I appreciate you confiding in me honestly. You don’t have to drop the news to others right this minute, but I think you’ll be better off in the end to tell them. Soon.”

  Ash shook her head vehemently. “I can’t! They’ll hate me. They’ll probably kill me. I left them in the worst way possible. I didn’t say goodbye. All so I could get the best pat on the head from my masters. Points scored for objectivity. Callousness.”

  “Pish posh. Don’t be ridiculous, now. Regardless of past crimes, Crow might not even react strongly, much less swear vengeance or such nonsense. I’d suggest you start with him. Dax needs to settle in a little bit first. I understand she is volatile and unpredictable at the best of times, but don’t underestimate that she might simply be overjoyed that you’re alive and well.”

  Ash didn’t have a reply to this. She blinked and blinked, and puzzled over it. Could that really be true for a traitor like her? Was she not seeing clearly due to being emotionally overwhelmed? That was quite likely when she considered it objectively. Being deprived of Central was like a mountain suddenly being back on her shoulders.

  Jeeves continued, “Ash, no one in this Order can claim not to have made mistakes. Even huge, glaring ones. Dax and Crow are like you, having both made them and admitting it within themselves — and to others. Samantha herself is no different. I will certainly leave the process of your revelation to you, but you must tell your mother. Surely you can’t think she’d ever hate you.”

  “I… I suppose not.” Mother. It’s so strange, these past lives. And more. An existence on some deeper, hidden canvas piercing through reality. Each entry of the needle another life, yet making something more behind it. Some consistency of our inner selves. I can appreciate that… my outer self is corrupted and nothing to cherish.

  “So we’re agreed, then? With our chin up, hmm?”

  Ash took a deep breath and lifted her chin. “Yes. I will tell Samantha. And then M-... Crow.” She allowed herself to be happy that he was alive. Amazed that he was so… grown. Her brother, confident and self-possessed! She’d felt magnetically drawn to him. At least she understood why, now, beyond the obvious fascinations.

  He even has a girlfriend! My sister in fate. I’d call her a top-tier catch at that. You’re doing so well, brother! I wish I could say I believed that you would. That I believed in you…

  “And did you get enough rest?” Jeeves asked, his tone turning it into an accusation.

  “No,” Ash admitted apologetically. “I’m afraid not long after I fell asleep, a mystic alarm woke me, telling me Bast had returned. I rushed to go meet him.”

  “Your ability to find ways of remaining perpetually busy is astonishing. But I trust you’re going to rectify this failing of well-restedness momentarily? Or should I have Raphael check up on you?”

  “No! I mean — ahem! — that won’t be necessary, Jeeves. I’m going.” Ash had no intention of testing a physician. She’d learned the hard way on that front, in the Capital.

  In truth, she was more exhausted than ever. For once, she felt like she wanted to turn everything off and reset.

  “Excellent,” Jeeves offered approvingly. “Rest well, Ash. Remember to turn off any alarms or alerts. And know that whatever you think you deserve, in this fellowship, you are blessed and cursed with family. We care about you and will account for your well-being in all ways. Whatever happens, you won’t be abandoned. We are here for you.”

  “Thank you, Jeeves. Really. Thank you.”

  After disconnecting, Ash still felt a bit hollow as she remained knelt in the dirt. She turned her head to squint in the direction of the sun, which was just barely peeking over a ruined structure.

  The light burns terribly, but it purifies, doesn’t it? Whatever corrupted substance of me I lose to that scouring truth… I’ll be whole when all is said and done. And… I never needed it. I can… I am… more than it. I’ll tell myself again and again. However long it takes to believe it.

  She rose shakily and took the long walk back to her waiting bed. Deliberately, she held her head high.

  ??············???···········??

  Gelmak Por was quickly very frustrated with the sweltering, muddy brick forest that was the human city of Caneboro. The humans crowded together as if on waterships, yet completely on the open land, in tiny little loud buildings for drink and fellowship. He was told this was where to acquire information. The drinks he was obliged to buy weren’t bad, at least.

  The author's content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.

  He knew enough not to go asking around about ‘Little Sister’ any further, nor did he use the other, more useful names he’d been told not to speak if he tried Caneboro out (because they were not used there). Madam Witching turned up blank looks and ‘can’t help you there’ or similar. At least, he thought they were blank looks. Human faces were a jumbled-up puzzle. There was probably some pattern within, but the little shifts of the pieces meant nothing to him. Their ears didn’t even move! And they never bothered to clarify their feelings voluntarily.

  He had to ask one time, ‘Just how are you feeling right now, friend?’ despite what an embarrassment it was. And what did he get? Nothing! ‘Huh? Oh, I’m doing fine…’ No real answer, and possibly one of their silly lie-makings. Meanwhile, shaking how shady the person seemed was impossible.

  Perhaps change ‘how’ to ‘what’? Bah! It won’t matter. I’ve heard they love to be devious and lie all the time, and it seems proven to me, now.

  Right then, feeling completely miffed, he was just leaving another establishment he’d been directed to, so small he had to duck the entire time within and worry over his illusion being given up by his horns scraping the ceiling. They had been the absolute worst humans he’d ever met. Entirely uncooperative and evasive. Glaring without clarification. Then the barkeep and two others pointed crossbows at him and told him to leave and never return or they’d shoot him. He complied immediately.

  I was polite! How did I offend them? At least they finally clarified. This place is just awful. Must I go to Geirkos? It will delay things dishonorably. And it’ll be even hotter!

  He tried not to whine within himself, feeling shame, but the heat was already unbearable.

  With no real leads, he planned to wander until he could find someone to talk to and ask again. Perhaps the area would have friendlier sorts. It couldn’t get any worse!

  As he crossed through a divide between buildings, suddenly three men were in front of him, all armed and armored. He figured them to be militia and waved, while making a human smile on his face, continuing to approach. “Hail, guards! Perhaps you can help me?”

  The three men all looked at each other, the one in the front working his tongue around the inside of his cheek for some reason. So many things he wished he could ask about…

  Gelmak’s ears twitched, and he turned to see three more guards behind him, slowly approaching.

  Oh, dear. It seems like a tactical maneuver. They’re not rogues, are they? They don’t look like rogues.

  The man ahead smiled suddenly, showing many rotted teeth. He seemed to be in good spirits. “Oh, sure, sure. What can we do for you… sir?”

  Gelmak was relieved. For a minute there, he thought things were going to go very poorly. Perhaps he was just jumpy from his last encounter. “I’d be very grateful! I’m looking for Madam Witching. Perhaps you can point me to where I could find her, or know someone who might instead?”

  The men chuckled, and all had some human expressions on their faces. The lead man scratched an itch at his jaw and nodded. “Aye, we heard about it, actually. We know her well. We’ve come to take you to her. How’s that? A little escort for you, here. For safety. Right, boys?”

  Shouted agreements like ‘Escort!’ and ‘Safety!’ and even ‘Go witches!’ resounded from ahead and behind. It was a really good sign, to Gelmak. When humans shouted like that, they were happy. He knew that much.

  So he thrust his fist up enthusiastically. “Yes! Escorts! Very thoughtful and courteous. I’m glad you found me. Kindly lead on, then! I look forward to meeting her. It’s important.”

  The lead man smiled and bowed, and then the three turned around to lead the procession. The men taking the rear followed closely behind Gelmak.

  “So,” Gelmak asked conversationally as they walked down the street, “you are followers and so forth?”

  “You bet,” the lead man replied, nodding vehemently. “Protectors, you know? That’s what we are. We escort people aaaall the time. Can’t be too careful in this city, my good friend.”

  “I can imagine. Some hu- er, denizens are not as friendly as you, that’s for sure. Do you know a lot, good friend? Do you carry authority? I am curious about many things.”

  “Ahhhh, well, not as much as some, I suppose. There’s leaders, right? And it’s all kept hush-hush and underground, you see? Let’s not talk here in detail, though. Not in public. You understand.”

  “Oh. Oh, yes — sorry. I’ll hold my questions, then.”

  “That’s a good lad.”

  “May I ask your name, though? I am called Sailman.”

  “Sure. I’m Dirtboy.” There was hearty laughter from the others. “A real pleasure, sir.”

  One man wasn't so amused, slapping his hand to his face and shaking it, but he otherwise remained quiet. Interestingly, he had an ornate tattoo on his hand, but Gelmak Por didn't recognize the foreign symbology.

  It's probably best not to point it out, though. He seems touchy already.

  Gelmak Por laughed with the rest. “Ha! I believe that’s ironic synchronicity! Isn’t it? Well met, Dirtboy.”

  They walked a few blocks past multiple brick buildings and various other citizens, who upon seeing the group, promptly changed course to avoid crossing paths, or went back inside of buildings and closed doors.

  Another group of six men was waiting for them at one point and fell into escort formation with mild, irrelevant chatter. They certainly seemed to know each other. A few nodded brief, stiff greetings to Gelmak.

  At least they’re polite.

  As they were crossing another street, the group came to a sudden stop as a cluster of people stepped out in front of them. And behind! Apparently, surrounding people was some sort of normal custom of Caneboro. Before Gelmak could call a greeting, though, the escort around him pulled out blades or pointed crossbows.

  He realized the other sides were the same in brandishing weapons and looking rather intent on menace — it took him a moment, but he recognized that a serious altercation was probably about to happen.

  Oh, dear. Dirtboy did warn about this, after all.

  Dirtboy and Sailman went on to meet Treewoman and Sandgirl. Of course, they were lesbians.

  Next Chapter...

  An encounter quickly simmering. Will it boil over?

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