by Aaron Crash
Ymir imagined his eyes looked similar.
The Princept stood above their table and touched the book. “Good. I would like to take a look at some things. And I would like to discuss a few things with you both. I’d like you to meet me in my mezzanine office in fifteen minutes. And please bring me kaif and perhaps some of the fried pig. And a pastry. Thank you.”
She walked off.
Ymir grinned at Jennybelle. “I do like a powerful woman, but I won’t be bringing her breakfast.”
“I’ll do it.” Jennybelle quirked an eyebrow. “Why didn’t she sit here if she wanted to talk? And what’s that book you found?”
Ymir told her quickly about what happened the night before. Then Jenny left to take their empty mugs back to the kitchen and get Della her breakfast. Ymir took his time packing up his books before walking down the steps to the ground floor. He crossed the insignia of the school set into the floor—a mosaic showing the fist, palm, fire, and moons of the four Studiae Magica. He then climbed the steps to Della’s mezzanine office.
He sat and a dozen memories came to him—of their dancing, playing with the truth, and reveling in their lies. He’d learned the rules of the game quickly, and while all the trickery, lies, and half-truths seemed ridiculous to a clansman of the Black Wolf, he’d excelled at the game.
“So, who was murdered?” Ymir asked. “People are talking.”
“As they should be.” Della was pale.
“Tell me who is dead.”
Della closed her eyes and shook her head. “Someone who shouldn’t matter. But he suddenly does. The Grand Vempor Acadius of the Holy Theranus Empire.”
Ymir laughed a little. “It’s a grand name for a dusty kingdom without any real power. The guilds rule in Four Roads. Who cares that this small man is dead?”
Della’s eyes showed her real exhaustion. “I received a sand letter from Acadius Appleford’s mother. The vempor’s surviving relatives, including Acadius’s heirs—his three sons—want sanctuary here. It seems Old Ironbound is considered the safest place in all of Thera now.”
Ymir raised his eyebrows. “Three sons.”
Della looked bored. “Fuck enough wives who drink enough sanctum sap tea, and you too can have three sons.”
Ymir put the rest together quickly. “The dead elven king makes Greenhome questionable. Jiabelle Josen kept the Swamp Coast stable and now she’s gone. Anything could happen on the Blood Steppes. And the dwarves want nothing to do with us overtoppers, as Tori would say.”
“Yes. Tori.” A bit of color returned to Della’s cheeks. “I assume you took care of her Inconvenience?”
He smiled. “It took a bit, but yes.”
Jennybelle came up with a tray—food for Della and more kaif for Ymir. The Princept cleared a space on the table.
“What y’all talking about?” Jennybelle asked.
There was a moment of awkward silence.
Jenny caught it immediately. “Oh, the kissing last night. Well, Princept, I won’t tell anyone a thing. Us Swamp Coast women can hold our mud.”
Della retrieved her mug and plate and placed them in front of her. She had no expression on her face.
Ymir knew the Princept well enough to know that she wasn’t going to eat until the meeting was over. She would sip the kaif because she obviously needed it.
No one spoke as Jenny sat down. “I probably shouldn’t have said a word. I’m sorry. We’re clearly moving on.”
Della looked the swamp woman full in the face. “There was kissing and other activities, but no, there is nothing else to discuss. I was able to use the Veil Tear Ring. I saw the results of the murder last night, if not the murder itself. I was given a vision of the Appleford family, and their various vassals, in the Reception Room weeping over the death of the vempor. I also saw a dragon attacking Old Ironbound. I have no idea when it will happen, but it looks like we’ll get to see a legend come to life. Gatha will be in the fight, which shouldn’t surprise us. What does surprise me? I saw Ziziva in the battle with a sword. And I saw Charibda Delphino on her knees in the Flow Courtyard, weeping.”
Della opened her mouth to say more, but then she closed it just as fast.
Ymir felt the anger boiling in his belly. “This damn school draws darkness to it like a dead elk draws tundra flies. And as you said, you don’t know when this might happen. I think we have to assume that the vempor’s assassination is tied to the events that will soon be on our doorstep. We would be foolish to believe otherwise.”
Jenny looked confused, so Ymir told her what Della had said before she arrived.
The swamp woman laughed brazenly. “Well, shit. I’m with Ymir. Ain’t nothing but trouble for us. Every year there’s something. Guess I should be happy I’m here. I was just bitching that I felt like I was missing out not being in Josentown. The Swamp Coast has nothing on us.” Jennybelle let out a long breath and shook her head. “I don’t like the idea of a fairy with a sword. And I don’t like your vision of Ribby weeping. The girl has been through enough. But come on, a dragon? Ain’t no such thing. Maybe on Ethra—shit gets weird across the Weeping Sea.”
Ymir and Della exchanged uneasy glances. Both knew the power of the Akkiric Rings, the Veil Tear especially, and both knew that the dragon wasn’t a lie.
The knowledge passed between the pair. But their connection went deeper than that. There was as much love as there was lust in their gazes.
The Princept finally dropped her eyes.
Jennybelle Josen knew exactly what had passed between them. She was wise enough not to speak her observations out loud. Instead, she laughed. “Well, if there’s a fucking dragon coming, he can warm my water. I’m assuming it’s a male, but given the drama here, it might be a female. Just my luck. One more bitch on the campus I’ll have to out scheme.”
The swamp woman looked pleased for a moment.
Della looked past them. It was clear she saw something that made her wonder.
Ymir turned to see Issa Leel gazing up at them with suspicion in her eyes.
Ymir knew that he and Della could never be together, in any meaningful way, because of the way Issa Leel looked at them. It was a shame. For now. When Ymir graduated, then no one could say a word. And if he saved this damn school one more time, they should all be equally as cowed.
“What’s our next step?” Jennybelle asked.
Ymir and Della spoke at the same time.
The Princept motioned for him to speak first.
He did. “We forge the Akkiric Rings. We use them to protect the school. We’ll learn more about the details of the vempor’s death in time. We’ll work on the next ring, the Flesh Taker or whatever it’s called. It’s not clear. We’ll also use the Veil Tear to try to get a clear picture of our enemies. When the dragon comes, we kill it.”
Della nodded. “We’ll delve into the Almanac and the history of the author. We’ll give the imperial family, including the heirs, a safe place to stay. If there was an assassination in Four Roads, if the vempor was killed, I’m wondering if Dillyday Everjewel might know about it. The Undergem’s mistress has a vested interest in the politics of the Holy Theranus Empire. I will schedule a meeting. Perhaps I’ll use the Veil Tear. And this time, with the ring, I’ll know exactly what is occurring.”
Ymir took the black and silver ring out of his pouch and slammed it down on the desk. “Tori and I shouldn’t use it. And while Lillee can, I want to save her turn until things are dire. And I don’t like the idea of my elf girl under the scrutiny of the Akkir Akkor. I’m assuming you at least felt their presence. We should ration our ability to pierce the veil.”
“Very wise,” Della agreed.
And the two stared at each other again.
Jennybelle laughed nervously to break up some of the tension. “Did you hear anything from the Akkir Akkor?”
“They said I would be there when the sleeper awakened. That I will know the truth.” Della glanced away and sipped her coffee. “I don’t suppose you know what that
means.”
Ymir stood. “I’m sure we’ll know at some point.”
Della pointed at his satchel. “Is the book there?”
“It is. I’ll take it today, and I’ll bring it to your desk tomorrow. We can take turns.” Ymir pulled Jenny up. “The Princept has her breakfast to eat. We should be going.”
The Princept stood, walked around her desk, and escorted them to the steps of the platform. “Thank you for meeting with me. We’ll continue to talk.”
Ymir and Jennybelle descended the steps. The swamp woman didn’t say a word until they got their trays, got more kaif, and sat at a table in the feasting hall.
They still had enough privacy for her to lean forward. “She’s in love with you. And you’re in love with her. And both of you love this damn place too fucking much for either of you to do anything about what’s going on between you. You giving her the ring, and her letting you read the book first—I’ve seen wedding vows less moving.”
Ymir nodded, ate his fried pork, and didn’t say a word.
That swamp woman was brilliant when it came to certain things, and while she knew how to lie, she also knew the truth when she saw it.
Ymir wanted to get back to the book, and he wanted to get to the lighthouse island. If their Ribby was going to be weeping in the future, he wanted her days now to be as happy as possible.
Jenny was right. That mermaid had been through too much, and it seemed her problems weren’t over just yet.
Chapter Seventeen
YMIR ENJOYED THE GENTLE swing of Ribby’s net connected to the ceiling of her lighthouse room. Outside, a gentle rain fell, and the mermaid promised that Ymir would be just fine rowing back to the hidden docks.
They’d all been coming to StormLight Island so much that he’d bought his own boat. There was a central mast for a sail, and Ymir thought eventually he might learn how to pilot the watercraft using the wind. Jennybelle knew how to sail from her time on the Swamp Coast. The boat had enough seats for all his women, and there was a waterproof chest at the center. Tori had used a mixture of Form magic and Flow magic to make sure nothing inside would ever get wet.
Ribby stood in the doorway to feel the cold rain on her skin. She’d gotten quite hot from their fucking. A quizzical smile curved her lips. “And why is it just you and me, Ymir? You know I prefer many lovers to the one. I’m sick to fucking death of chitub.”
He left her question unanswered to take in the sight of her.
She stood naked, a smattering of scales racing over her pale skin. She had small tits, pink nipples, and a flat stomach that led to a hairless pink slit between her legs. Those big eyes were a muddy green. That big nose suited her. Blue and purple hair framed her face.
The rain trickled down her skin.
They’d already had sex in the swinging bed, and when it bothered him, he’d slid out of it to stand on the floor. Then it worked well to pound her using the net itself.
They were taking a short break, but Ymir knew they’d have sex at least once more, if not twice.
The mermaid went to the wine and poured herself a glass. She came close and deftly climbed onto the bed. She offered him some. He drank, spilling a little on his chest. She licked it off. He was on his back. She rested on her side, one long leg thrown over him. She was careful not to cut him with the sharp spur rising out of her heel.
“Why aren’t you answering my fucking question, Ymir?” she asked. “By the Blue Dark, did you hear what I said? I want the bitribib. I want pussy up to my eyeballs.”
He smiled at her and pushed a strand of blue hair over her ear. “I’ve grown to love your anger. Your cursing makes you beautiful. I believe I must have missed the question. Was it concerning the fairy? Or the dragon?”
Ribby exhaled in fury. “It was about you and me and why we’re here alone!”
He caressed her cheek.
She smiled despite herself, then rested her chin on his chest. “Fine. I won’t be a bitch.”
Ymir squeezed her shoulder. “I know you’ve only recently come to appreciate a chitub. However, there is something I want to talk with you alone about. Besides, Gatha and Lillee are at the Unicorn’s Uht again, getting drunk. Jennybelle is there to try to keep them sober enough to walk home. I doubt she can. So I’ll stop by there on my way home. Gatha will want to fight. I’ll do what I did last night and use the rings to take the salt out of her and then get her home to bed. Gatha prides herself on her strength, and yet she is not strong enough to accept her defeats of late. Nor the death of the parents she hated. I can somewhat understand that. Lillee? She leaves me baffled.” After so many words, Ymir’s tongue was dry, and Ribby offered him more wine.
“Lillee is trying to live without her cuff. That can’t be easy. And to lose a father, even a fucking terrible one, is hard.” Ribby clenched her jaw muscles so she wouldn’t cry. “It’s really fucking hard.” She’d loved both her dear father and the evil uncle that had killed him. That uncle was now dead as well, and the true villain in her life. She knew of what she spoke.
And Ymir knew it as well. “My own father exiled me. I doubt I’ll see him again. Nor will I see my people, I think. They are lost to me. I’ve accepted that fact. It was difficult, but I found my path. I have faith that Lillee will find hers.”
Ribby drank more wine, then set the glass on a hanging table next to them. “Well, I have a path for Gatha. Ziziva needs training, combat training, for what is to come. From what you said, Della saw the dragon too, which means I’m not insane, so that’s nice. And our fucked-up fairy girl will be there to stop the thing from burning down the Librarium Citadel, which is good for Gatha. Ziziva wouldn’t stand a chance at this stage. She needs training.”
“Why don’t you train her?” Ymir asked.
“Why would I train her? I have important things to do.” The mermaid’s old arrogance was showing its face. “I’m fucking trying to get my breath back. Besides, the girl needs to learn how to use a sword, not a trident. And I am not going so share my secret combat techniques with her or with anyone.”
“You Fallen Fruit people. So many secrets.” Ymir caressed the mermaid’s soft cheeks. “Gatha will never agree to it. She loathes the fairy. We all do.”
“As much as you fucking loathed me?” The mermaid answered her own question a second later. “No, of course not. You had sex with the fairy. You wouldn’t have touched me, this disgusting mermaid who snored and belched and hated you all so much.”
“And look at what you’ve become,” he said seriously, tracing her lips. “You’re beloved. We come to your island, to see you, to kiss you, to love you. You saved Gatha’s life. If you ask her, she will do it. She would do anything for you.”
The mermaid rolled her muddy green eyes. “She just likes me because I can make her come over and over. Before me, it would take her so long.”
Ymir popped a finger off Charibda’s nose. “No, girl, you sacrificed your life for her. You gave us your breath so we could create the Gather Breath, which later helped me defeat Gulnash. Charibda Delphino, in a very real way, all of Thera owes you. And yet it’s kept a secret. Just one more secret.” He paused. “Della used the Veil Tear Ring. She saw you weeping on the Flow Courtyard. Ribby, I will do what I can to restore your breath. You have my word, and yet, I worry for you.”
“Don’t you worry yourself over me, barbarian.” Charibda’s smile was a mystery right then. Was there sadness? Yes. Was there hope? Yes. But she understood the precariousness of her situation. “It’s like you said, or don’t you remember? We all find our path.”
“Are there really dragons?” Ymir asked.
“I would’ve said no only a few months ago,” the mermaid said. “But my mother spoke to the Aquaterreb families across the Weeping Sea. There is a dragon on Ethra, and he is powerful and deadly, although they don’t think he is a threat to the families. Mostly, he wants to be left alone. I spoke with my mother about my vision. She’s looked into the currents of time, the deepest part of the world�
��s ocean, and she sees more demons than dragons. She thinks we’ll survive the dragon, but we might not survive this demon conqueror.”
“King Shapta.” Ymir didn’t like the sound of his name.
“Or whatever the fuck he calls himself.” Ribby laughed. “My mother said we have some time before we have to worry about the demon horde coming to our part of the world.”
Ymir could feel the truth in her words. Old Ironbound had a way of drawing trouble to it. Or perhaps it was him.
Ribby tickled him with the spur on the back of her leg. “We talked about dragons, demons, and fairies. Fine. But I wonder about you, Ymir. You’ll get yourself an empire or two, doubtless, but I’m wondering if you want a family.”
“I have a family. I have my sharreb, as you well know. You can’t live with us in the Zoo, but you are a part of my sharreb.”
Ribby leaned forward and kissed him. “No, Ymir, don’t be stupid, A family includes children. You’ll need heirs for all your empires.”
The idea made him smirk. “You and Jennybelle have such a lust for power. I’m fairly certain I’m ill-suited for the task of ruling an empire. I have no doubt I could win one, but I would have little patience for the actual work of ruling men who act like children. I am in this day, on this damn net bed with you, and it’s enough.”
“It won’t be enough, Ymir, until you have all eight of your dumb rings. But do you want children or not?”
Ymir thought about her question. When he left his people, he thought such a family would never be his. Now, he had any number of women who could mother his children. They would have to work at it, they would need the sanctum sap tea, but it would be possible.
It took a bit, but then he spoke. “Thinking of my father, no, I wouldn’t want offspring. However, thinking of Grandfather Bear and Grandmother Rabbit, I would want to pass along their wisdom and the wonder of life. Life is good, there is much to enjoy, and there is much one can do to help their family and to win their destiny. So yes, I would eventually want children. Why are you asking? Are you wanting a little tadpole, Ribby?”