Cake Dream (3rd month of Autumn, 4th day, 23rd hour, night)

  Aya had another dream about the same girl. The girl was sitting in a reclining chair with a plate on her lap, eating cake — or rather, picking the best parts from the top. The girl's mother came by to collect the dishes.

  "Oh, sweetie, what are you doing? You can't eat like that!"

  "But Mommy, the other parts aren't tasty!"

  "All the same, good girls don't waste food. You either eat the whole thing or don't touch it at all."

  The girl knew better than to argue. She was supposed to always do what "good girls" did. So unfair. Who decided what was good? It's not like we're short on cakes.

  She placed her plate on the table, no longer wanting any cake. Leaning back in her chair, she gazed at the sky. Her mother would scold her again tonight, just to make sure she had "learned her lesson." Grown-ups were so obsessed with their stupid rules. She loved her mother, but stupid things remained stupid, no matter who said them.

  A kitten jumped onto her stomach. It immediately flopped onto its side, purring demandingly.

  "You're the only one who understands me, Orange," the girl said, scratching its belly. "I just want what I want."

  The kitten stretched and placed a paw over her mouth, as if telling her to shut up.

  Translator's Note on Pronounciation

  Pronunciation in English can be tricky. For example, the letter X can represent different sounds depending on context: [ks] (as in axis), [z] (as in Xander or Xena), or even Sh or Ch in transliterations from Chinese (such as Xia, Xi). The name Xia in this text is pronounced with the sounds [k.sia] (k-S-I-A), but text-to-speech automata will likely render it as Zia or Shia.

  Elven male names often end in the letter i — such as Kedi, Kemi, and Berenji. In English, this letter can be pronounced either as [?] (as in lit) or [a?] (as in fire). Similarly, the letter e might be read as [?] (as in let) or [i?] (as in lean). Such uncertainty often leads to confusion. For example, the name Levi is commonly mispronounced [?li?.wa?] in English (almost like leeway, but with [a?] at the end), when in fact it should be [?l?.vi], as in le[ft] + vi[sion].

  In the names used throughout this book, pronunciation follows a consistent pattern:

  - Stress falls on the penultimate syllable (e.g., kEdi, berEnji)

  - The letter e represents the sound [?] (as in let)

  - The letter i represents the sound [?] (as in lit)

  - The letter x represents the sounds [ks] (as in axis)

  Unfortunately, these nuances can't be explained to a text-to-speech automata. For now, I've given up on making the text compatible with such contraptions.

  Interrogation

  Aya woke up lying on her back. Something was touching her lips. Beside her, an elf girl sat, stroking her lips with a wet cloth.

  Aya sat up, brushing the girl's hand aside. She was on a bench, tucked into the corner of a large room. The first person she noticed, aside from the girl, was the warrior from the patrol she had just fought. He stood with an unreadable expression, arms crossed.

  "I'll tell Master Kemi," the girl said, and went somewhere.

  Other elves were in the room — some eating at a large table, others serving. A few cast curious glances her way. The space was the common lounge typical of noble mansions.

  She looked back at the warrior. He remained silent. When she placed her feet on the ground, she noticed him tense slightly. So she was a prisoner, and he was her guard.

  "Bring her to the guest room," said a familiar voice.

  Aya turned her head, but she only caught the swish of a robe in the doorway. The warrior nodded toward the door. Aya rose and walked out, followed by the warrior. They passed through a long corridor before entering what looked like a modest dining room. In the center stood a large wooden table, empty except for a magic lantern and a few scrolls. Behind it, facing the door, sat a tall elf with a straight back and a stern expression. To his left sat the noble who had led the patrol.

  The two shared a resemblance, though the stern elf was dressed more plainly. Aya endured his long, appraising gaze before he finally spoke.

  "I am Kedi, head of House Vemer. This is my brother, Kemi. Who are you, and what were you doing in my lands?"

  "I am Aya, a servant to House Mink. My house is no more. I was traveling to the city of Tarkei, my lord."

  "Why Tarkei, Aya?"

  "I didn't want to become a slave. I hoped to make a living in Tarkei as a free citizen."

  Kemi snorted.

  "What happened to your house?" Kedi asked.

  "House Raku destroyed us. They had been feuding with my master for some time. Recently, they attacked the mansion. We managed to beat them back, but the losses were too great. The mansion was destroyed by hellfire. My master led the survivors north, hoping to find help. We were pursued by Raku's patrols until they attacked in force three days ago. All my clansmen were either killed or taken prisoner. I awoke on the battlefield and went north."

  "Tarkei is northwest of here. You'd miss it going north," Kemi pointed out.

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  "I planned to reach the Copper River and follow it downstream, my lord."

  Kemi didn't respond. Instead, Kedi asked:

  "Are you certain your master perished? Perhaps he mistook you for dead and moved on?"

  "I saw his dead body with my own eyes. Most of his warriors', too."

  Kedi drummed his fingers against the tabletop.

  "Why did you attack my patrol?"

  "I was afraid of being forced into slavery."

  The silence stretched. Her words felt insufficient. To these nobles, that must have sounded like a foolish excuse.

  "I had another reason, my lords," she offered. "I feared for my familiar's life. I was afraid you'd kill it."

  Kedi narrowed his eyes.

  "Tell me about your familiar."

  "It's a grave fairy. I found it on the battlefield."

  "I've never heard of fairies as familiars. Is this common in the South?"

  "No. I just met it three days ago, gave it my magic, and it bound her. That's all I know."

  This time, the pause was longer. Kedi studied her intently, as if trying to decipher her soul. Kemi looked skeptical.

  "Do you have any proof of your story?" Kedi asked at last. "How do we know you're not just a runaway slave?"

  "I took my master's handkerchief from his body. Examine it if you wish. As for the fairy, Lord Kemi saw it."

  "My brother says the fairy used some kind of mind magic. What was it?"

  "Its scream frightened the mares. I didn't consider it magic."

  "Not just the mares, I felt it in my soul," Kemi said. "Definitely magic."

  Kedi shot him an annoyed glance.

  "The handkerchief — show it to us."

  Aya took out the handkerchief and spread it on the table. With all the stains from blood and sweat, it looked positively filthy. Both brothers leaned in to examine the crest.

  "Looks legit to me," Kemi said. "Is this your master's blood?"

  "Yes. And some of mine," Aya replied.

  "We will keep it for now," Kedi said. "A room and a meal have been prepared for you. Rest — we will decide your fate later."

  The warrior who had stood silently in the corner moved to open the door, but Aya remained still.

  "What has happened to my familiar?" she asked.

  The question sounded abrupt and improper, so after a pause she added, "My lords." It came out awkward instead of respectful. She couldn't completely keep the anxiety from her voice. The brothers exchanged glances before Kemi answered.

  "Niena tried to stun it, but it got away. It followed us from afar — but stopped at the gate. I think it's hiding in the shadows outside the walls."

  "Let me search for her now. She won't survive long without me."

  In the silence, she heard her own heartbeat.

  "My lords," she added.

  The room froze. Both elves studied her with cold intensity. She was about to snap when Kedi relented:

  "I'll allow it — but don't try to escape," he said.

  "I won't. Thank you, my lord," Aya said, bowing.

  "Pass her to the night watch. That's all for today," Kedi told to the guard.

  Xia

  Kedi watched the door close behind the girl. His brother looked thoughtful — unusual for someone with such a fiery temperament.

  "Did she just say 'she' referring to her fairy?" Kemi asked.

  "Yes, that was strange. She said 'it' at first, then slipped. And her voice caught. She cares about that creature a lot. Are you sure it's just a fairy?"

  "It looked like one." Kemi shrugged. "What else could it be? A shapeshifter?"

  "I don't know. I've never heard of grave fairies being used as familiars. Someone's abnormal — either the girl, or the creature."

  "Or both," Kemi said. "Let's wait till morning. Maybe she wouldn't find it after all."

  "Maybe."

  When Kedi entered his room, the lights were already out. He undressed quietly, slipped beneath the covers, careful not to wake Xia. She stirred anyway.

  "Finally," she murmured in a sleepy voice. "What did Kemi drag in this time?"

  "Just a girl."

  "Another one?"

  "No, not like that. A masterless mage on the run. The patrol captured her with some trouble. Knocked Niena out, can you imagine?"

  "Oh my. A spy? An assassin?"

  "I don't think so. She's young, a bit naive. Strange, too — she has a grave fairy with her. Claims it's her familiar."

  "Oh my. I have to see it for myself."

  "Tomorrow."

  His hand traced the curve of her side, gliding over her hip and down her thigh. The sensation of her smooth, flawless skin was always soothing. It made him feel safe and grounded, indifferent to all the chaos of the outside world.

  "Why aren't you asleep?" he wispered.

  "Was waiting for you."

  "Good."

  "Good?"

  Instead of the answer, he kissed her.

  Searching for Ixi

  Aya was led to a guard post and left in the hands of a sergeant. Promptly given an unhappy soldier escort, she was let out of the gate. The moon still shone bright. She walked along the walls, thinking about the situation. What would she do if she couldn't find Ixi? She couldn't even imagine.

  Aya took a deep breath and dove into her magic sense. She sensed the multitude of cores — the elves inside the walls, and her escort dragging behind. They were all pulsing with life, but Ixi wasn't among them.

  "Ixi!" she shouted, spooking the soldier.

  Something stirred in the dark. She headed in that direction, away from the walls.

  "Where are you going?" the soldier said nervously.

  Aya kept walking.

  "Hey, stop!"

  She almost bumped into a tree and stopped. The lower part of the tree was obscured by shadow, the upper part lit by the moon. She found Ixi more by sense than by sight — a small body lying on the branches, just below the edge of the light. It was too high for her to reach.

  "Help me up," she said.

  "I am not touching it," said the soldier.

  "As if I'd let you. Lock your hands, and I'll step up."

  Begrudgingly, the soldier obeyed. She stepped onto his hands, pulled herself higher, and finally reached Ixi. With the weightless body in her arms, she jumped to the ground. The connection with her core was barely there. Aya tried to feed it magic, but there was no pull.

  "Ixi," Aya said.

  She walked into the light. Ixi's eyes were open and lifeless. There was no expression or movement on her face.

  "It's me, Aya," she said, tears welling in her eyes.

  She hugged her tightly, crying profusely.

  Ixi moved. "Ya-ya," she said in a barely audible voice.

  Still crying, Aya tried again to feed the core — and this time, she felt the pull. She cautiously channeled her magic, drop by drop, and the core absorbed it. Gradually, it lit up, and life returned to the fairy. Ixi's small hands hugged Aya's neck weakly.

  Aya walked back to the gate, carrying her like a child against her chest. The soldier dragged behind. At the gates, the sergeant gave Ixi a wary look but didn't say anything. He gestured for the soldier to stay and led Aya to her room.

  Refi's Unsettling Walk

  Refi returned to the guard post, bewildered. The sergeant had left with the girl, and the soldiers resumed their game of cards. His comrades immediately assaulted him with questions.

  "What was all that shouting?" asked one.

  "What magic did she use to catch it?" asked another.

  "Was it blood magic?" asked the first.

  "She just took it into her arms, no magic," Refi said distractedly.

  "I'm surprised it didn't bite her!"

  "She's a warlock, you fool, she has a pact!"

  "Aren't warlocks supposed to pact demons?"

  "Maybe it is a demon."

  "Seemed like a fairy to me."

  Refi remembered the scrawny girl crying over the little limp body. A warlock? A demon? He shivered.

  "Refi, hey, Refi!" his comrade waved a hand in front of his eyes. "It's your turn, are you asleep?"

  "The witch took his brain," said another.

  "What a dangerous girl. I've got to be careful!"

  "You, my friend, have nothing to fear."

  "Right, you're the one to talk."

  Closet

  The sergeant lit a small lamp on the wall and let Aya in. The room was tiny and windowless — really just a closet.

  "Food is on the table. The pot is under the bed. I'll lock you up for the night, so behave."

  Without waiting for an answer, the sergeant left.

  A small bed took up most of the room. Aya examined the food: a bowl of soup, some bread, and a mug of ale. It wasn't bad, but she still felt nauseous from the fear. She took a couple of gulps from the mug and set it down. Taking off her boots, she lay on the bed, gently placing Ixi by her side.

  The bed was soft and warm — simply divine. Aya pulled up the covers and fell asleep.