"Incredible. How did you manage all that in one night?"
"Greggor."
"Aksil's father? He's still in Memorial City?"
"Yes. Turns out he's a fan of the drink and has been causing a stir down at the Eclipse. So, I went to check it out. See if I might pick up some information from some loose lips."
Dolore was familiar with the Eclipse, a tavern in the southeastern part of the city and well known for its association with the Brotherhood. The name itself was a reference to the day Verago would return, wipe out humanity, and convert everyone into demons.
"And?"
"And I was right. That's how I discovered they've found out about Aksil being a Death God. End of the night comes around and Greggor can barely walk, so I offer to help him home, or at least to the place he's staying. Turns out to be Hable's garment shop doubling as a safe house for the Brotherhood. There's a good chance it's where they're keeping Aksil."
"Can you show me?"
"Not so fast. Let me finish. After Greggor trudged off to bed, Hable and I started talking, catching up on old times. Eventually, he tried to convince me to join his cell. He believes he's going to the top. That once Kolokajja assumes the role of Grand Overseer, Hable will be made overseer in Memorial City. I let him do most of the talking and feigned some interest. I asked him what I'd have to do to prove my loyalty to his cell if I wanted in." Rithwic leaned in. "So, he tells me about Aksil and the Death Gods in the city looking to get him back. The only problem is Hable doesn't know who the Death Gods sent to retrieve their thief."
"You're saying Pike didn't give him any names?"
"One of the side effects of deathroot. He couldn't remember. So, Hable wants answers. He's petitioning Kolokajja to allow him to give deathroot to Aksil."
"That's bad."
"Yes, it is, but he's being a good little Brother and waiting for approval. So, I made a suggestion as an alternative. Why not pretend to capture someone else and put them in the same room with Aksil and gain his trust? Then, they could set a trap where the prisoners escape and lead Hable and his Brothers to the Death Gods in the city."
Dolore smirked. "What did he say?"
"Nothing, at first. He was just silent. I didn't want to seem overeager, so I bid him good night and got up to leave. I didn't even make it to the door before he called me back. He was thrilled about the plan. He even wants me to be the prisoner as my proof of loyalty to the cell."
Dolore stood and walked to the wall. Something was amiss. The mutual promise she shared with Rithwic was to never lie, and that had never been broken. But their relationship was always about information, never about action. "It seems too perfect."
"I know what you mean. I wasn't expecting for it to happen, but the opportunity presented itself."
Dolore faced him. "What do you want?"
Rithwic's smile faded. "Am I that transparent?"
"There has to be a price, right? What do you want?"
"Something you've never had the chance to help with before. But, things are changing in the kingdom. For example, Candelux and the Death Gods are working together again."
"If you can call it that. This is about Gladdak, isn't it?"
Gladdak was a Candelux priest who was arrested three years ago for his association with the Brotherhood.
Rithwic nodded. "You know, I still don't know how they figured him out. My guess is someone from one of the other cells gave him up to protect one of their own."
"Hable?"
"I don't have any evidence, but yes, he's the only one who knew about us. And if he helped someone important enough evade prison by offering up Gladdak, it could explain his rise to cell leader. I've spent the last three years trying to figure out how to get Gladdak out of jail and take revenge on whoever ratted him out. Seems like I may be able to do both with this."
"So, let me get this straight. You want me to go to Head Archdon Kyara and ask for Gladdak's release. And in return, you'll help us save Aksil. What does Kyara get out of it?"
"The leader of Kolokajja's favorite cell? Trade one Brother for a handful, maybe more? Also, if Don Layola's still around, Candelux will have another Brother out of their priest ranks."
Dolore rubbed her lower lip. "If you do this, your status in the Brotherhood is over. They'll come for you."
"Assuming they even figure out I played a hand in it, don't worry about me. All I care about is getting my friend out of prison."
"If I go to Kyara and she says no, that's going to expose us. They'll know we entered the city without their permission."
"That's certainly a risk," Rithwic said. "There's only one alternative. I show you where the safe house is, and you pray to the angels that Aksil's actually there."
"How much time do I have to think it over?"
"Hard to say, but it can't be long. Hable wants me to come back tomorrow night. I can delay him a day, two maximum. After that, I think he'll move on. Use someone else. Or maybe Kolokajja will let him use the deathroot. My advice? Speak to Archdon Kyara as soon as possible."
Chapter 25
As the pair left the beach, Millan marveled at the sunset's reflection on the pristine ice. The Frozen Coast was like no other place he'd been before. There was beauty in it, despite the frigid conditions.
"You know, considering it's only been two days, your progress is impressive," Sundancer said.
Millan eyed the bloodseeker. "So I've mastered breathing then?"
"Funny," she said dryly. "But as I've said before, it's not about the breathing."
"I know. I know. It's about connecting with my inner energy. But I've only been breathing. How can you tell I've made progress?"
"I can sense it. Granted, you did start with an advantage. Most students can't conjure light blessings, so you clearly already had some sort of connection."
"Ah, I see. And here I thought I was special."
"Well…" Sundancer's voice trailed off.
"Well what?"
"It's nothing. Just a feeling. We'll try something a little more advanced tomorrow, if you're interested."
Millan straightened up. "Really? Advanced? Will I get to move?"
"Probably not." The slightest smirk appeared on her face.
Millan's shoulders slouched. "Ha ha."
Sundancer stopped walking, and so Millan halted as well. When he looked back, her contentment was replaced by intense focus. The Nesinu priest followed her gaze and concentrated. There was a dark aura somewhere up ahead.
"Demon," Millan said.
"Stay close to me."
"But we're on the Coast. Isn't it normal for demons to be around?"
"Around? Yes. In your tent? No."
Millan gasped and slipped behind his bodyguard. They tiptoed forward until they reached his accommodations. There was definitely a demon inside, but it didn't seem to notice their arrival. Sundancer gently pushed open the flap and entered with Millan in tow.
A demonic voice greeted them. "Malak anjjemir."
Millan peeked over Sundancer's shoulder. On the far side of his tent sat a demon with her legs crossed and hands resting on her knees. Her skin was so pale, her veins gave it a bluish tinge. Her hair, blond with streaks of black, was pulled back into a segmented ponytail that snaked over her shoulder and down her right side. Her tanned leather vest and pants hugged her athletic body.
"Who are you?" Sundancer asked.
"My name is Jin, and I don't have much time. You know of the demon Sonojj?"
"No."
"I do," Millan said. "He was a prisoner in Royal Oak. I spoke to him before the twisted gate emerged. He attacked Archdon Omana and they both died in the purge."
Jin nodded. "That's correct. But he's returned, and he's in Nua'dem."
"Is he coming after me?"
"It's possible that's his eventual intention. He does know you're here."
"He'd commit such a crime on the Coast?" Sundancer asked. "He'd risk the peace that so many demons enjoy just for a little revenge?"
&n
bsp; "This is why I've come to warn you. I've been living on the Coast for the last twelve years. It's my home. I don't want that ruined."
As he stepped out from behind the bloodseeker, Millan spotted a tattoo on the demon's upper arm. It was of a triangle split down the middle with one half black, and the other half left unshaded. "So why don't you stop him?"
"I can't, but you can. Quite easily, in fact. You're not his primary target. More like an afterthought. He won't make an attempt on your life if he doesn't fulfill his purpose."
"Which is?"
"To kill Agalia. The one you call the Seductress. She's also here in Nua'dem. Stop him from killing her, and your safety is assured."
Millan tittered. "I thought you said this would be easy."
"It is. Simply report what I've told you to the Para Paya, and they'll make sure Agalia is protected."
Sundancer stepped toward the demon. "If it's so simple, why don't you do it?"
Jin cleared her throat. "Sonojj is a formidable demon. He must never find out what I've done. The Para Paya grant the accused the right to face their accuser. That's why I've come to you."
Millan scratched his head. "Formidable? Are we talking about the same Sonojj?"
Jin glared at Millan. "You know of Draeko? The Shade?"
"Sure."
"No one's seen him in over a decade. Word is that Sonojj killed him, but not before toying with him like a mouse. You have nothing to lose by reporting him. He already has his sights set on you." The demon stood quickly and brushed her tail to the back. "I must leave now before he finds out what I've done."
Millan hopped behind Sundancer as Jin rushed out of the tent. The bloodseeker poked her head out of the flap for a few moments before returning inside.
"What the depths just happened here?" Millan asked.
Sundancer rubbed her chin. "Good question. Something's off about her story."
"No kidding. Sonojj was a prisoner in Royal Oak because I cut off his paws when he attacked me."
"I heard about that."
Millan swept his arm in front of him. "There's no way Sonojj killed the Shade. There must be some mistake."
"Well, she has been on the Coast for a long time. Maybe it's just a rumor."
"Maybe. I mean, she did seem pretty scared. You saw that, right?"
Sundancer paused. "Let's discuss this later. I have to hop over to my tent and change for dinner. Meet me outside in a few minutes."
Millan plopped down on the ground as the bloodseeker left the tent. Sonojj knew Millan was in Nua'dem and was planning to kill him. Jin's warning gave him chills. He was supposed to be safe on the Coast, the land of eternal peace between humans and demons. And in the brief minutes Sundancer left him alone, for the first time since arriving in Nua'dem, fear crept into his heart.
"You ready in there?" the bloodseeker called from outside the tent.
When Millan exited, Sundancer was no longer wearing her normal clothes and armor. Instead, she had donned a sleeveless dress with colors both vibrant and untamed. The wild patterns curved with the shape of her body and entranced the priest. All concern regarding Jin and his mortality were swept away as the Nesinu priest gawked at the bloodseeker. His mind was incapable of forming a single thought since it was captivated by Sundancer's transformation from soldier into Para Paya.
"Millan? Millan?"
"Huh? Yes?"
Sundancer gestured down the path. "Shall we?"
"Absolutely." Millan felt sheepish as he strolled alongside the bloodseeker. He was no stranger to infatuation. A young girl from Nesinu could attest to that. But while that young, teenage crush resulted in misery, this experience made him delirious with happiness. The more time he spent with Sundancer, the closer and stronger he felt toward her. But Millan did his best to hide his feelings, not wishing to jeopardize either spending time with the bloodseeker or receiving training from her.
"So," Millan said. "Before we were interrupted, you mentioned you were going to teach me something advanced tomorrow. What is it?"
"It's a surprise."
"Do I get a hint?"
Sundancer smiled at him. "Be patient. You won't be disappointed."
The torches within the encampment were lit as the sun dipped below the horizon. Millan desperately wanted to pry the secret training from Sundancer, but his lips remained sealed. Up ahead, he spotted Lunargrace waiting outside his home.
Luna bowed to them as they drew closer. "I'm so happy you made it. And your timing is impeccable. Our other guests are also just arriving."
Millan turned in the direction the Para Paya elder was facing and discovered two demons headed straight for them. The contrast in their appearances was astounding. The tall one was ugly. His nose was large and disfigured, and his ears were torn as if ripped by an animal. His hair was short and mangy, and his scowl gave off a general aura of unhappiness. His female companion, on the other hand, was shorter than him. Her long, flowing red dress was formfitting and elegant. Her straight black hair hung gracefully around her shoulders. Her face was stunning, and her smile was immaculate, despite a hint of deviousness. Though Millan had never met her before, he knew exactly who she was, even if her picture in the history texts did her beauty little justice.
"Father," Sundancer said sternly under her breath. "What do you think you're doing?"
Before Luna could answer, the demon pair was upon them. The Para Paya elder stepped in the middle of his guests. "Agalia, Maligus, may I introduce you to Lady Sundancer, Champion of the Light, and Ambassador Millan of Candelux."
"Rujjel patsi," the Seductress said with a nod.
Frozen, Millan could only hear his heartbeat in his ears.
Luna pulled back the flap to his home and addressed the demons. "Please, make yourself comfortable. Snowlily is expecting you. We'll be in shortly."
After the Seductress and Maligus had entered the tent, Sundancer stood in front of her father. "Are you insane? The Seductress?"
"Please, lower your voice and allow me to explain."
"This is highly inappropriate. If you wanted Millan to meet with a greater iymed, you should've said so from the start. You deceived us."
Lunargrace held up his hands. "You're right. I apologize, but I suspected you wouldn't accept the invitation if I told you. But you must've sensed how weak she is. She's clearly no greater iymed. Please, I'm asking you to just listen for a moment."
Sundancer shook her head, as if she were fighting against her better judgment. "Fine. Go ahead."
"Ambassador Millan, what is your purpose here on the Coast?"
The Nesinu priest searched his mind. "To reestablish a relationship with the Para—"
"Let me stop you right there," Luna said. "What's your real purpose here on the Coast? Please, be honest with me."
Millan glanced at Sundancer, but she gave him no cues. "I don't know. As I'm sure you realize by my absence in the meetings, I'm not really an ambassador. It's all a charade for when we go to Alovajj."
"Well, then let me tell you what your ambassadors are doing here. They're not interested in a relationship with the Para Paya. They're not interested in bringing us back into the fold. They're looking for information on a group of people called the Senarod, or the Sen, for short."
Millan pretended he had never heard the name before. "The Sen?"
"How do you know that's what they want?" Sundancer asked.
Lunargrace rolled his eyes. "We may be free spirits out here, but we're not stupid. It's been years since anyone from the kingdom has cared about us. Candelux is panicking because I assume their new friends to the south are not as helpful as they hoped. So they're desperately seeking information wherever they can find it. But what you really need to be doing is making peace with the demons. This is already a safe haven for both humans and demons, and this can be the starting point for peace throughout the kingdom."
The bloodseeker groaned. "And that's why you tricked us into this dinner? What are you expecting from this?"
&nb
sp; "Nothing. No expectations. I'm only asking you to keep an open mind. We go in, have dinner together, have conversation, and maybe, just maybe you'll realize these demons are not monsters as you've been led to believe. What do you say, Millan?"
Again, he looked to Sundancer for a sign, but nothing. "I don't know. I'm feeling pretty uneasy right now."
"I completely understand. The first step is always the most difficult. I'll even make you a deal. If you have dinner with us, and you do so with an open mind, I'll advocate to the other elders that we share whatever information Candelux is looking for. You don't believe you're really an ambassador? You will have made more progress in one hour than your fellow ambassadors have made in the past three days."
"Why me? Why not Archdon Kainol or Archdon Navi?"
Luna patted Millan on the shoulder. "It's just a feeling I have. I'll be happy to explain it to you at a later time, but our guests are waiting. What do you say?"
"All right, as long as Sundancer has no objections with respect to our safety."
The bloodseeker studied the tent, as if seeing beyond the entrance flap. "He's right. She's weak. The other one has more energy, but much of it's isolated from him." Sundancer turned to her father and pointed at his face. "Mark my words, though. One sign of aggression, and I won't hesitate to kill them with my bare hands."
"You know I don't have a problem with self-defense," Luna said, "but I assure you, such threats are unnecessary."
"She better keep that tail tightly tucked away too."
The three entered the tent together. A large, simple carpet spanned the floor, and on it rested a rectangular table with no legs. Snowlily was already seated at the head of the table with the demons along one of the long sides. Millan made his way to the other side and sat opposite the Seductress. Sundancer lowered herself to the floor and glared at Maligus. The ogre growled softly but was quickly silenced when the Seductress placed her hand on his leg.
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