Killyria looked at the four sparkling butterflies perched on the table. “My, my,” she hummed. “You’ve outdone yourself, Astraea.”

  “Last set were better,” Astraea replied from her couch. “Brimstone and Blue livened things up.”

  “Which represents which?”

  “Well, the Vanessa atalanta is the star-eyed chap from Jūnichinatsu.”

  “Vanessa?”

  “Red Admiral,” Andromeda replied, as the jet butterfly with red bands and white spots fluttered across the table. “She knows their other names.”

  “But isn’t the other one more - red,” Killyria continued, pointing to a second butterfly. “Except for the eyes.”

  “The reason why Inachis - no Aglais io - is called Peacock,” Astraea yawned as the second butterfly flapped its wings. Scarlet wing with pale blue and purple spots reminiscent of a peacock’s tail spray.

  “Matches the colour of the mortal from Farrismarrai’s bonnet.”

  “But then the Hermitory Lord’s robes echo the butterfly,” Serencia said from next to Andromeda. “Which makes me think that he could easily be the Aptura rather than Nymphalis.”

  The third butterfly fluttered across the table; black-winged with white spots. Yet, upon each wingbeat, its wings would flash iridescent purple. Yet, even as it landed, the fourth was in mid-flight; dark reddish-purple, rather than black; with wing edges the colour of warm cream.

  “You would be right,” said Astraea. “Aptura iris or Purple Emperor for the Hermitory Lord; Camberwell Beauty or Nymphalis antiopa for the one who has so, so few moments….”

  “You wouldn’t…” Killyria said.

  “Callisto would,” sang Virgo.

  “After we’ve finished,” Callisto growled.

  “You or I might not need to,” said Astraea.

  Killyria and Serencia looked at her.

  “He’s got problems at home, hasn’t he? Would rather go back and deal with them than walk into not the friendliest of places.”

  “What if he can’t?” said Serencia.

  “That lot in Outeransei, or Middleladernia, will kill him as soon as look at him. An end that will befall the other three; although the Hermitorian Lord looks as if he can handle himself.”

  “I should think so,” Killyria said. “Being the close friend of your finest champion. One you treated with disregard until the caterpillar became the butterfly.”

  “More Virgo’s territory, Killyria. Couldn’t help herself laughing every time that she saw her Selected.”

  “Who gave yours a lesson in manners and swordplay he never forgot,” Virgo yawned. “But then, asteroids don’t fight back.”

  “But could you take a hit from one,” Astraea said, getting to her feet. “Not now, you two,” said Andromeda. “We don’t know if any of the others apart from the Hermitorian going to agree; let alone who gets what.”

  “… Serencia does,” Virgo almost sang.

  Killyria joined Astraea, Virgo and the others in gazing at Serencia; as if she had won the prize, they had all wanted.

  “You - already know - Serencia?” said Andromeda.

  “Course she does,” said Virgo. “Knows when the gatherings are due to happen; plus who the poor unfortunates are. Probably has an idea on whether they’ll wimp out or walk in and get killed, dressed or eaten by the first person they meet.”

  “Dressed?” Callisto repeated. “It’s not a boutique.”

  “I believe time’s up,” Serencia said, standing up. “Ready, Killyria?”

  “Oh, no you’re not, Miss Warm Hearth,” said Astraea, getting to her feet. “You can tell us who’s got-”

  Astraea joined Callisto and Andromeda in looking at a section of air where Serencia and Killyria had been standing or sitting.

  “Why that-”

  “Forget it, Astraea,” Virgo drawled. “We’ll soon find out which of them are mad enough to take this on. Who knows, one or two could back out; meaning one or two of us can return to our beauty sleep.”

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  * * *

  Naritsune watched Haronsal walk out from under the shade of a turquoise green-leaved tree. Walk, stop, then flow into a spin. “Whoopee!” he cried, dropping into a cartwheel. “This is fun!”

  “So out there…” Naritsune said. Not at all like the full-to-the-brim that had been in his mind since Killyria and Serencia had left.

  In fact, he had had to go and sit down in a spot in the meadow for some space; although he spent most of it laid back and watching the clouds sail overhead. Or Feldaner, as he had picked his way to a line of trees shaped like elegant, sky-reaching pillars, then sat down. Not to mention Kyray, who had started by the lakeshore but had gone to a section of meadow between Feldaner and Naritsune and could very well be asleep…

  Trouble was, unlike either of them, Naritsune had not taken a drink with him from the table. And, despite the calming effect of the clouds, the thought of a sparkling fusion of apple and blackcurrant had grown stronger by the moment. Besides, the decision had condensed whilst he had been looking at the other worlds peeking out beyond the blue.

  Watching a swallow sweep over the flowers, he got up and began the return; noting that Feldaner was no longer by the line of trees but walking past an upright Kyray.

  “They don’t get on, do they?” a voice said to his left.

  “Wha-” Naritsune said, flinging himself to his right and turning to see Haronsal. “Y-you were cartwheeling before.”

  “Got dizzy,” Haronsal replied, wiping his head with a handkerchief. “Needed a sit-down, but then saw you were nearby.”

  “Not surprised if you cartwheeled all the way here. You were by that tree a moment ago.”

  “Really? Thought it was more like five. I did run for a bit to stop the spell.”

  Naritsune turned from looking at the other pair. Had to be talking to each other. “Wouldn’t that make you worse?”

  “Usually, but it seemed to make everything float away. As if I were - flying.”

  Not like a second swallow, sweeping and curving over the grass after goodness knows what, Naritsune thought. Dizzy would only be the start if Haronsal had done anything like that.

  “Oh no,” Haronsal said. “He’s got up.”

  Naritsune looked across. Sure enough, Kyray was standing whilst Feldaner looked as if he was going to strike with his staff. “He’s not supposed to speak to any of us whilst we’re deciding. History or not.”

  “History?”

  “Kyray’s a-”

  “Thank Riss,” said Haronsal. “Lady Killyria’s appeared between them.”

  “Good timing,” said Naritsune as Feldaner fell onto the grass as Killyria walked forward. “I think I’ve learnt my - lesson.”

  “She’s not the only one who’s back,” Haronsal continued. “Lady Serencia is at the chairs.”

  “Hope there’s time for a drink,” said Naritsune, breaking into a jog. “Might be if we get there before them,” Haronsal added.

  Kyray was making his way back as the jog turned into a run. But Killyria was still talking to Feldaner, so there was still some leeway.

  “There’s no need to run,” Serencia said, getting to her feet. “We’re not going to start till the others get back.”

  “That - was the - idea, My Lady,” said Naritsune. “Needed a-” was that a full glass of sparkling apple and black currant?

  “Pear and blossom,” Haronsal wheezed as he sat down and looked at the drink on his side table. “My favourite.”

  “Thought you would need a drink after that,” Serencia said, two more glasses appearing on the side tables next to Kyray’s and Feldaner’s chairs.

  “Thank you,” Naritsune said, before taking a sip and the thirst being washed away. “I forgot to bring a drink with me when I went away to think.”

  “Understandable considering the circumstances. It’s a big decision.”

  “Quite,” said Killyria, appearing next to Serencia as Kyray popped up behind his chair and a startled Feldaner the far side of his.

  “B-but you were - just-” Haronsal spluttered.

  “No point dawdling when you’ve made your minds up,” Killyria continued, sitting down. “Kyray was on his back and Mr Lonshore has been ready from the moment he arrived here.”

  “Well, since you are all back and we already know Feldaner’s decision. What are yours, Kyray, Naritsune and Haronsal?” Serencia asked.

  Naritsune looked at Kyray, who leaned back as if he were inviting him to speak. Haronsal was emptying his glass so…

  “I’ll do it,” he said. “Go to Outer-what’s-it and then Insbeen.”

  “Insline,” said Serencia. “As a Selected?”

  “Yes.”

  “My,” said Killyria as Feldaner nodded. “I am surprised.”

  “Thank you, Naritsune,” said Serencia. “Either of you can speak, Haronsal and Kyray.”

  “I’d be mad,” said Haronsal as Feldaner nodded as if he knew, but stopped upon the sight of Killyria looking at him. “I won a raffle, not a tournament; and this Insline place seems to be suited for head-bashing soldiers and tin-pot militia.”

  “Got to get there first,” said Naritsune.

  “But then I’ve always wanted to hold a greatsword and cut trees in half so I’m in.”

  “What on earth are you going to do in there?” Feldaner said, as Killyria’s mouth opened and Serencia stared. “It’s not a party.”

  “Surely there are greatswords in Farrismarrai,” said Naritsune. “And why have you got it in for trees?”

  “I meant giants. Big folk. Trolls.”

  “Might need to go elsewhere for trolls, Haronsal,” said Killyria. “But there are - ‘Big folk’.”

  “That leaves you, Kyray,” said Serencia. “Let not the decisions of the others sway you.”

  “Quite right,” said Feldaner. “Our paths can always cross on my return.”

  “If you return,” Killyria yawned.

  “Only you can make it,” Serencia continued. “To stay; or to go.”

  Kyray took a long breath. A long breath with closed eyes. Naritsune rubbed his own eyes. The Elf didn’t seem as pale as before. As if the air, or drink, had brought a flush of warmth. The next moment the blue-violet eyes were open. Clear and firm as, with the outward breath, came an answer.

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