Archive of Our Own ^beta

I panted with exhaustion, scanning the area. “Okay, I… I think we’ve lost them. For now.” I muttered “Savages.”

Iovara was also breathing heavily, but her voice was as melodic as ever. “Have sympathy for them. They think they’re doing what the gods command. Can we really expect them to believe us over their trusted elders?”

I folded my arms. “Maybe. But we have proof.”

Iovara looked at me sympathetically. “That will not make them happy, and alas, far too many people will accept a beautiful lie over a hard truth.”

I scoffed. “Alas indeed.” I turned to her with a smile. “Not us though, right?”

Iovara smiled. “I hope not.”

I chuckled. “Come on, you’re much too strong to be scooped up by some lie!”

Iovara’s eyes kept that sad glimmer I could never look away from. “Perhaps, but who knows what we would do should the truth become hard to bear? Do even the gods know what any of us would do?”

We got to covering our tracks and finding a spot to camp. With the tribesmen still about, we had to find a hidden spot, until we could return to the city and get some help. We eventually found a spot beneath an old fallen tree, with only a few bugs. Iovara examined it. “It will be tight sleeping.”

Oh, Hylea, please… “That’s no problem. We can, you know, sleep close together.”

Iovara looked at me, and for a moment I thought she knew what I was thinking. But she simply said “If you’re comfortable with that, very well.” I managed to hide how my heart leapt in joy (or, if Iovara noticed, she gave no sign), and instead got to work concealing our camp. It was work to hold in my excitement and nervousness.

Soon, the pair of us were lying side by side in our shelter. I felt her warmth right next to me. Her body pressed against mine. Anxious thoughts danced around my head. Is she comfortable with this? Would it be too much if I held her closer? Does she realise how I feel about her? I lay awake with those thoughts for gods know how long.

Then, I heard Iovara’s breathing slow as she finally slipped off to sleep. Iovara, the most beautiful missionary in the order, was dozing right next to me, her cares set aside for the night. Before I could finish processing that, some small part of her stirred just enough to press herself closer to me.

It took me another hour to get to sleep.

A gentle shower blanketed the camp. Iovara and I stood at the edge of the cave, watching how the light danced through the falling raindrops. I smiled. “Hylea is truly the greatest of all artists.”

I could feel Iovara’s eyes on me, making my heart swell. “Sephele… of all the gods, are any your favourite?”

I pondered the question. “I’m a missionary. Is it really appropriate for me to give more favour to any god?”

Iovara stood that little bit straighter, as she always did when she got into one of our philosophical discussions. “Perhaps it would be wrong to allow it to manifest; but can you really deny that you have preferences? Should we?”

I found myself leaning that little bit closer to her. “Maybe, maybe not. But if I’m honest, I’m quite fond of Abydon. He tells us to be forthright, to gain what we need through honest labour.”

Iovara turned to me, and I found myself graced with her full attention. “A logical choice. Though with your love of knowledge, I would think Wael would appeal.”

I folded my arms, repressing my frustration. “I… recognise there’s a place in the world for secrets and deceptions. But I don’t want to be part of it. It’s not just knowledge I love, it’s the truth. The god’s truth, especially.” I turned to her. “But what about you? Got any favourites?”

Iovara brushed some hair out of her shining eyes. “I find the teaching of Eothas speak to me most of all. More than any of the gods, he truly teaches compassion. Especially for those that need it most.”

I cocked my head. “Sinners?”

Iovara smiled. “Exactly. They need help to be the best people they can be.”

I could her that compassion in her words, as if it lit a fire in her chest that extended warmth into all she said. A cold breeze made me yearn to get closer to that warmth. “ Guess you don’t need much of his help, then.”

Iovara lay a hand on my chest. “You even less. You believe in the truth, Sephele, and what else is there to believe in?”

I rested my hand over hers. “Iovara, that… that means a lot to me. Thank you.”

Iovara leaned closer, so I could just feel her breath. “I meant it. I really enjoy our discussions.” To my surprise, I saw her mustering her courage. “If we are to speak of the truth, then let me speak my own. Sephele… I’m in love with you.”

My heart soared. “Wha- me!? Real- really!? I-, uh-”

Iovara’s eyes glimmered with the rainbow light dancing through the air. “Truly. Your compassion, righteousness, and hope… all examples of who we should be.”

I couldn’t find anything to say, but I pulled her closer, into a kiss. Well, what was supposed to be a kiss landed awkwardly on her nose. Iovara made no comment, simply grabbing my head and guiding me to her lips.

I held Iovara close, breathing in her scent, feeling her warmth, gliding my fingers over her skin. I committed every sensation to memory. I knew this would be the last time we would meet for a long time, so I was determined to make this memory last as long as it needed to. My rationality informed me that the sensations of kissing probably didn’t vary all that much from kith to kith, but tonight it happily took a back seat as my heart conjured fantasies of her tasting like strawberries and my love-drunk mind brought them to life.

Not breaking contact for more than a second, we ran into the secluded and currently empty shrine to Hylea. Iovara smirked at my choice, but I foresaw her remark and was countering it as she broke a kiss to take a breath. “Different offerings for different gods. Nought brings the Sky Mother joy like love in full flight.”

Iovara laughed. “I always thought of you as very private.” she teased as she pushed me up against the avian statue in the back of the shrine. It was rough and uncomfortable, but for tonight I imagined it was perfectly moulded to me as Iovara and I kissed again.

There were a million things I was going to miss about her when we went off to our separate assignments. Her faith, her solemn optimism, her wit, most of all her iron will. Still, for tonight, I focused on one last thing that simply could not be saved in any words I could write, something I couldn’t approximate in any other: Intimacy. I knew it was only a fleeting moment, but for that beautiful moment, I felt we had an eternity.

I lead Iovara through the halls of the castle, stealing kisses at every opportunity. Iovara graced me with one of those soft smiles. “You are certainly eager tonight.”

I blushed. “Anything could happen now, Iovara. Let’s make the most of every moment.”

We continued our intimate dance through the castle halls up to our chambers. I touched every part of her, trying to memorise her every texture, her every curve. I felt Iovara’s piercing insight. “Sephele… is something wrong? You seem almost desperate.”

This is the last time we’ll be together “I’m… fine, we just haven’t had much chance to…” I glanced over her shoulders, and saw soldiers gathering, tense. I pulled her through the door to our chambers.

As I pressed her towards the bed, she gently pulled away. “Sephele… what’s bothering you?”

This is a trap, the king is working for Thaos. We need to escape, now . “Nothing, I… Maybe I just need some air.”

I slowly stood, and walked out of the room. The gods will make all things well in time , I told myself again and again. I did my best to shut out the voice in the back of my head that told me it was all a lie. As I tried to shut out the sounds of soldiers mustering at the other end of the hall. Tried to ignore how I left half of my heart in that room.

I reached the castle balcony. It was a clear night. It was almost insulting; there should have been a storm gathering. But there was nothing to mask the sounds of soldiers moving. The sound of Iovara fighting. The sound of her calling my name. I vomited over the balcony.

I heard footsteps behind me. Thaos’ footsteps. I could hear that gentle smile in his voice. “Well done, Inquisitor. The gods are very pleased with your faith.”

I caught my breath. “Your Eminence… not now. Please, not now.”

Thaos sounded concerned. “You seem ill. You deserve my attention now more than ever.”

I felt an ember of defiance. “I loved her… even knowing it’s what the gods commanded, it still hurt.” Hurt . That word was all to insufficient.

Thaos gently lay a hand on my shoulder, and a reflex surprised me by shrugging it off. If Thaos was offended, he gave no sign. “My dear, you know the gods would heal your heart, if you let them.”

I remained silent, not looking at him.

The old man again, offering to heal my heart- the gods? What did I- No, these are just memories. Focus!

I pulled myself back to the present, where my companions had just finished bringing the newest member of our party up to speed. Sagani, like me, was from much cooler climes, and like me, didn’t wear all that much to compensate for the heat. In this case, it was a few well-woven hides. ‘A few’ not being enough to obscure her midriff. It wasn’t washboard-flat, but there was just enough definition to hint at the built abs beneath. Her arms were also mostly bare, revealing muscles honed through years of archery.

After we finished, and after a minute of companionable silence, Eder asked her “So, what about your family?”

Sagani said “Well, there’s my husband-”

Gods fucking dammit

Even without the feathers, our party’s newest member would have had little trouble keeping my attention. She was a Vailian paladin named Pallegina, one with high cheekbones and a regal bearing. As we rested in a tavern, I asked by way of an icebreaker “So, what load of superstitious skyt did you get loaded with?”

Pallegina snorted. “Ac, that is one way of phrasing it. Blessed by Hylea, so they say.”

I nodded. “When I was born, there was a big argument over whether I was blessed by Ondra or Rymyrgand. So my parents tell it, everyone wanted me sacrificed to some god or another.”

Pallegina took a sip from her tankard. “I take it they never made up their minds?”

I rubbed my horn-like crest. “Luckily, I was already grown up by the time that happened. When I developed my telekinesis, they settled on Ondra, but then I was old enough that sacrificing me was less palatable.”

Sagani looked up from her meal inquisitively. “Telekinesis? You never mentioned that.”

Focusing carefully on a fork on the other side of the table, I sent out a wave of tidal power. It clumsily flopped towards me. “That’s basically it. Only works pulling, never pushing, and it’s both weak and clumsy. Occasionally saves me getting up to grab something, but that’s about it.” I looked back at Pallegina. “Only other magic power I’ve discovered is that, when under duress, I emit these refreshing waves, which is actually kind of useful in a fight.”

Pallegina raised an eyebrow. “But not the only one others think you have, ne?”

I groaned. “My first kiss was forced on me from a boy who thought I’d suck out his embarrassing memories.”

Pallegina’s mouth twisted in disgust. “Merla; at least my feathers only bring inappropriate comments.”

I thought a moment. “Ever use a feather to stab someone?”

Pallegina gave me a bemused look. “Cue?”

I explained “Well, once or twice, when someone asked me too many questions about the crest, I gored them. The tips are actually sharp! I figured that you might, you know, pluck a feather and shove it in someone’s eye.”

Pallegina grinned. “I have not, but I will remember that the next time I tire of the fawning. Agricima.”

I smiled. “Anytime.”

“Anyone ever tell you that you have the best accent?”

I was still getting to know Maneha, our party’s newest member. Maneha, meanwhile, seemed eager to get to know Pallegina. I could empathise; the other godlike had a commanding presence. She wasn’t hard to look at, either.

Pallegina seemed uncharacteristically flustered by the compliment. “Wha-? No. I mean, some have. Men. Foolish praise in any case, it’s just an ordinary Vailian accent.” I kept my opinions to myself, but internally I agreed with Maneha; Pallegina’s accent was musical.

As we rested in the local tavern that night, I saw Maneha staring after Pallegina when the paladin briefly left the room to use the outhouse. She was grinning when she turned back to her drink. She noticed me looking at her with a raised eyebrow. “What? Look at her. Besides, I’ve always had a thing for women in armour.”

I leaned in a little closer. “Ah, I see you, too, are a woman of exquisite taste.”

Maneha laughed. “Glad to hear I’m not the only one. Check out that dwarf over there.”

Growing up in the White That Wends, I was used to the cold that was present in the White March, and I erected my tent without complaint. What I was much less enthused about was actually getting to sleep. The nightmares had been getting worse, and getting a full night’s sleep was very much a gamble.

As I sat in my tent, working up the courage to try and get to sleep, Maneha opened up the flap. “Watcher?”

I looked up at her. “Maneha. What’s up?”

She leaned closer. “Apparently, it’s my turn on the roster to help you get some sleep.”

I blinked. “What?”

Maneha explained “Kana told me, said you guys have a rotating roster of who helps you get to sleep.”

I worked through the implications. Just the night before, Pallegina had insisted I spend the night sparring with her, and the night before that Kana had treated me to some Rauataian lullabies. My companions were taking turns making sure I got my sleep. I suddenly felt incredibly loved, and I laughed out loud. “That explains a lot!”

Maneha grinned. “Guess they didn’t tell you. Anyway, guess it’s my turn. Eder mentioned that tiring you out seems to help. A little sparring is always nice, though if it’s a little too cold for you, I’ve got an idea of something we could do in your tent…”

I cocked my head. “Well, I’m open to hearing it.”

Maneha slithered in, and the nature of her grin shifted. “It is pretty cold up here, isn’t it? You and I could… exercise, right in your bedroll…”

I took me a second for me to take the hint. Just a second. “Oh? Oh! Oh…” I smiled shyly, playing with my hair. “I… I mean, that does sound nice, but, I’ve never…”

Maneha drew back, just a little. “If you don’t want it, I won’t make you. We can just, you know, spar. In a more literal fashion.”

The light of my crest illuminated her. Her tall figure, her web of markings, her muscles… she never wore much. The sight of her abs drove me to a decision. “I… I want it. This.”

Some privacy, finally. We weren’t strictly speaking inside our tent yet, but for all our time apart, both of us ha d little patience. I pulled Iovara close, kissing her full on the lips. She dropped her usual composure, enthusiastically kissing me back. I trailed wet kisses down her neck, biting lightly as I pulled her into the tent. I took a moment to-

I blinked. I remembered that that wasn’t me, or was it? It wasn’t now, certainly, because instead of Iovara (who was she?), Pallegina was standing in front of me with a shocked expression, and I could taste a feather-

OH NO

The light of my crest lit up the forest as I tried to stammer out an apology. Pallegina held up a hand to stop me. “You were having a vision. Forget about it. We will not speak of this again.” Hiravias opened his mouth to make a remark, but Pallegina glared at him intensely enough to give everyone pause. As we moved on, I tried to remove the feather from my mouth as surreptitiously as possible.

I found myself slow to discard it. Had I really just kissed Pallegina? I should have dismissed the thought outright, the kiss was the product of a hallucination and (probably?) not consensual. But the idea of kissing the noble, courageous, charismatic Pallegina Mes Rei, with her firm figure and-

Forcing myself to think about something else, I discarded the feather. I resented the tension that the moment had forged between us.

I marched through a valley of visions and nightmares, my body begging me to sleep but my fear keeping me awake. Torture racks and pyres were wherever I looked. Whispers of the past filled my hearing, all just shy of being legible. My head throbbed as it tried to-

“Watcher!”

Pallegina’s voice called me back to reality. Peering through the visions to reality was taking more and more effort every day, but I could still manage it whenever something demanded my attention. “Hm? Sorry…”

I didn’t have to explain to Pallegina that my visions were getting worse. “I was saying that now is a decent spot for a break.”

I glanced around. “Uh, yeah. Sure, standard 10 minutes.”

I wandered over to a rock and sat down, trying to get my body as much rest as I could. Exhaustion compelled me to bury me face in my hands, though that only served to make the visions more intense. Just existing was taking so much effort. I yearned to just…

…

…

…

I felt… warm, in a way I could barely recall feeling before. I was also being carried. I blinked. I was still on the path to the White March, but a different part of it. I squirmed, trying to make sense of what had just happened. “Wha- Where- Pallegina!?”

She was the one carrying me. “Good morning. You dozed off and I- and the others thought you needed your sleep.”

Maneha quickly pulled up beside her . “Everything’s fine, Watcher. Go back to sleep.”

I snickered . “If only I could.” I blinked rapidly “Gods, but I feel better rested then I have in months.” Pallegina slowly lowered me to the ground, letting me stand. I tried to orient myself. “How long was I out?”

Kana answered “About 2, 3 hours.”

I whirled towards Pallegina with a look of surprise. “You carried me for 2 hours!?”

Pallegina shrugged, looking forward along the path. “Maneha carried you for most of it. I took over when she started to strain.” Pallegina resumed walking, as if she hadn’t just been carrying me. The idea of Maneha and Pallegina carrying me, dozing safely in their strong arms… that did things to my heart rate.

I slowly approached the titanic adra machine. The implications of everything I had discovered, everything that had happened… I shook them off. The souls, the people of the Dyrwood, needed me. I could process everything later. I could feel the gazes of my companions on my back. I stood in front of the control panel. Blocking out other thoughts, I spoke the command words I had learned from Thaos, and watched as the machine spun to life.

I felt essence, more than I’d ever seen in one place. I focused. I’d made no commitments to the gods, but the Dyrwood needed help. I shouldn’t just restore the souls, the sudden boom in population might be destructive, but I could empower the people that were left. I gathered the essence around me, struggling to hold onto it all. My body, mind, and soul were all already taxed from the battle with Thaos just minutes prior, but they didn’t falter just yet. I commanded the souls to disperse, to become part of the Dyrwood, to give the people the strength they needed. The essence surged, and surged, and surged-

BAM

The pillar went dark, followed by everything else.

“Watcher!”

“Alteia!”

“Is she…”

“She… she doesn’t seem badly hurt. Think she’s just knocked out.”

“Or passed out. Needs her sleep. Hopefully she’ll get some, now.”

“ Di verus , I think we could all use some after that fight.”

“Agreed. Why don’t we set up camp? We could all get some rest, and wait for her to wake up.”

…

“Ne, you focus on getting a fire going, you’re the only one with a chance.”

…

“I’m afraid my zeal is not enough to cook meat! I’ll handle the Watcher.”

…

“I- I’m just making sure she’s comfortable, postenago!”

Twin elms was a beautiful city. I’d figured that out on a rational level, but now my past life wasn’t barging its way into my present, I could actually appreciate the beauty. I stood on one of the rope bridges criss-crossing the Celestial Sapling tavern, gazing at the innumerable colours.

The bridge swayed a little as Maneha approached. “Watcher. Feeling more talkative today?”

I turned to her. “A bit. I’ve got a lot on my mind.”

The bridge creaked as she leaned on a rope beside me. “You’re not the only one.”

I asked “Thinking about the gods?”

Maneha shrugged. “I mean, sure what you said means… a whole lot of things that I haven’t thought about yet, but I was more thinking about the Awakening thing.”

I stood straighter. “Anything I can help with?”

Maneha paused. “… So, explain to me again how the whole ‘cure’ thing works.”

I explained “Well, two thousand years ago I… I was torn up by the question of whether or not the gods existed. I needed to know. When the memories of Sephele surfaced in this life, that need caused Sephele’s personality and memories to press against my present memories. When I resolved the question, I no longer had that need, so the memories became just that.”

Maneha pondered a moment. “So why do I get nightmares of what happened centuries ago?”

I was a little worried. “Are you still getting them?”

Maneha, to my surprise, smiled at me. “Yeah, but after we found the Salt Well… they started happening a lot less. Maybe it’s something to do with how I’m no longer fighting it?”

I took a more analytical look at the problem, quickly concluding that I could gather more information. “Hold on, I’m still a Watcher. Let me see your soul…”

Screams, everywhere. Men and women fleeing burning buildings onto our blades. My heart screamed in protest at the atrocity. I silenced it. I was doing what needed to be done.

I came back to the present with a shudder. “Ugh. I… I think what’s happening is, the general repressed all the guilt at his actions, but it never really went away. I think… maybe if you face it, let yourself come to terms with what you’ve done, and really process the fact that it’s too late to make amends… then hopefully it’ll be just another memory.”

Maneha chuckled. “You make it sound so easy.”

I shrugged sheepishly. “Hey, I had to jump into the prison of the gods to resolve my Awakening. Relatively speaking…”

Maneha nodded. “Fair enough.”

With a lull in the conversation, my gaze wandered the tree branches. “So, thinking of moving on? If you want to settle down, I’d gladly have you as a guard at Caed Nua.”

Maneha seemed uncharacteristically shy. “About that… I’ve been thinking. I think it’s past time for me to go home. To Rauatai.”

My eyebrows raised. “Really? You haven’t been there for, 30 years was it?”

Maneha smiled sadly. “Yeah. A lot will have changed. But I think I need to stop running from my past, and start, I don’t know, building something for myself.”

I found myself blinking back a tear. “Yeah… you deserve something like that.”

Maneha looked at me, and her tone turned more casual. “Oh, I’ll spend at least a couple of days in Caed Nua. You’re much too good company to just leave!”

I smiled, being sure to drink in her warm smile, the fiery confidence in her eyes, the curve of her muscles. “Glad to have you, for however long.”

Pallegina and I stood under the eastern gate, neither of us eager for the goodbye. My crest ever-so-slightly pulsed. “You know… I’ll miss you. You’re… a good friend.”

The paladin slightly smiled. “Agricima, I enjoyed our time together as well. But I shouldn’t keep my judgement waiting.”

I quietly said “If the original deal went through, thousands would have suffered. You should never be ashamed for preventing that, not because some stuck-up nobles don’t see their profits rise.”

Pallegina near-whispered “Ac. I just hope the ducs see it that way.”

I felt my heart beating just a little faster. “Pallegina… I don’t know what the ducs will say. But, if they…” I hesitated, then lay a hand on her shoulder. “No matter what, the re will always be a place for you by my side, if you want it.”

Pallegina bowed her head. “… Agricima…”

Just as I thought she was about to walk away, she pulled me into a hug. I hugged back. Pallegina whispered “Cores, amica.”

I didn’t need help getting to sleep anymore. That didn’t stop Maneha from joining me in my room in Brighthollow. I knew she was planning to leave soon. That was likely why she held me tight, even come morning. I awoke to her curled up around me, her strong, muscular arms holding me close, even as she slept. I gently pushed myself deeper into her embrace. The business of running a castle could wait.

My second jump into Breith Eaman wasn’t quite so terrifying as the first, and this time I was ready for the impact. Thankfully, the cluster of animats remained destroyed and none of the spirits had reformed, so the short walk to Iovara’s prison was uneventful. Soon I was again standing before a great adra pillar, and Iovara manifested before me. “My love. You return.”

There was so much I wanted to say, but this time there was little hurry to say them. “I’m sorry I didn’t do so straight after beating Thaos, we were… preoccupied.”

Iovara’s sad smile returned, its beauty no lessened by her burns. “You don’t need to apologise. I don’t doubt that you had to recover somewhere safe after your battle, nor do I doubt you had obligations on the surface.”

I removed my adra eye. “Thaos blasted the original.”

Iovara examined the empty socket briefly. “Afterwards, you bound him here.”

I replaced my eye “I couldn’t risk him returning to continue his work.” I smirked. “And I guessed you could use some company.

Iovara quietly laughed . “His presence has been a welcome change. We’ve only argued, of course, but I’ve had two thousand years to come to peace with my failures. Woedica has abandoned him for his, and that scar is still very fresh.”

I pulled a toolkit from my pack. “Well, hopefully you’ll get some time on the surface. I want to free you.”

Iovara examined me. “And you would deal with gods to do this?”

I shrugged. “Struck a straightforward deal with Hylea; save some bird she was worried about in exchange for shaving a week off of the trip down. I’m not pleased about how she’s been lying, but I still agree with the philosophy she promotes, so I’m willing to deal with her.”

Iovara slowly walked around the chamber. “Perhaps. But again the gods play their games. Did kith suffer for what you had to do?’

I frowned, recalling a band of Glanfathan hunters I had to talk down. “No, not this time. But… I see your point.” I shook my head. “But, never mind that. Let’s see if we can’t get you out of here.”

Iovara said “Be careful, my love. This prison was built by Thaos’ most cunning architect, and Woedica watches over this place. She will not let me go easily.”

I scoffed. “I beat her best champion. What else can she do?” Possibly in response, I heard a rumble from somewhere deep within the lost city.

Iovara’s gaze tracked the sound. “There are more spirits and defences in this place than you have yet encountered.” Seeing my shoulders slump, Iovara offered me another smile. “Do not strain yourself, my love. I won’t hold you to any obligation to free me. Your presence here alone, company after all these lonely years, means more to me than you could know.”

I bowed my head. “The only reason you’re here is because of my cowardice! I have to do this.”

Iovara shook her head. “No. It took a thousand labourers to build this place, it took the treason of the king of Ossionus to capture me, and an army of inquisitors to keep me contained. Do not hold all the responsibility yourself.”

I gripped my tools tighter. “I still made that call. It’s long past time I took responsibility.”

Iovara smiled. “You always did try to be the best you could be. I won’t stop you from trying, not that I could if I wished to. I only ask that you mind your own safety here. I would not see you die here today.”

I stepped close to her, close that we were almost touching. She was an ephemeral projection, but through my Watcher senses I could just the ghost of her breath, her warmth. I stood there for a long time. Finally, I stepped away. “Well, the least I can do is study this place.”

I was sprinting the whole way back to Iovara’s prison. I slammed the door shut just as exhaustion finally caught up with me, and I sunk to the ground. The titanic animat could be heard pausing, and then sulking off. As Iovara manifested before me, I said “You weren’t kidding. That thing is huge.”

Iovara gave a sad chuckle. “Thaos spared no expense. There is little even you can do.”

I frowned, thinking. “… alone. I need a team. And a plan…”

Iovara sat down beside me. “You’re more of a planner than you used to be. More… mechanically minded.”

I panted as I caught my breath. “Two thousand years and gods know how many reincarnations will do that.” I suddenly felt worried. “So… what do you think? Of, you know…” I gestured vaguely at myself.

Iovara looked me up and down. “There are a great many changes. The colouring, for one. I sense Ondra has marked you.”

I nodded. “Us Godlike are a little more common than we were back when the Gods were just getting started… which makes sense. But we’re still rare enough that there are a million stupid superstitions about us. Do you have any idea what a mess it is getting on a boat, looking like this?”

Iovara examined me closely. “Superstitions… Thaos always thought it was the kinds of superstitions, rather than the nature of superstition in and of itself, that caused such suffering.”

I scoffed. “Well I’m glad to inform you he’s wrong”

Iovara said “But you asked what I think of you. There’s only so much I can see in your soul, and a lot has changed. But… you still care about the truth, about knowledge. Perhaps you care more. And you still have that compassion and righteousness I fell in love with all those years ago. And the rest… I am eager to get to know.”

I slumped against the wall. “… In the morning, if you don’t mind. I mean, I’ve made some progress…” I showed her a large, full notebook of all the notes I’d made on Brieth Eaman’s defences, “… but running away from that thin g has got me spent for the day.”

My back tingled as Iovara ran her ghostly hand across it. “Of course. You’ve already done more than I could ever ask.”

I made a small, simple camp, surrounded it with traps, and despite the eerie environs and nearby threats, fell asleep quickly

…

…

…

A fire crackled, giving us precious heat as we watched the auroras dance over the snow-swept lands. My head was laying on Iovara’s shoulder as we sat close. She asked “Tell me… where is this place?”

It was then I realised I was dreaming. The spike of disorientation caused me to sit up, but I was able to answer. “Vorden, in the White That Wends. Where I grew up.”

Iovara gazed up at the sky. “And these lights…?”

I gazed up with her. “We call it the aurora, it happens a lot down here – or, there – especially in the winter months. Couldn’t tell you why. Everyone says it’s the gods.”

Iovara held me closer. “A cold land.”

I smiled, taking the chance to nestle into her. “No argument here. But it’s home.”

Iovara whispered “Anywhere can be a home, so long as it’s with the ones you love.”

I turned to her. “And you’re here.”

We kissed.

As priests went, Xoti was certainly better company than Durance, but that bar was so low it was in the depths of Breith Eaman. I could understand Xoti’s faith, I might have even found it appealing before the Dyrwood. But she worshipped a god that had killed everyone in my castle, including me, so some friction was inevitable.

Still, when we made camp a night after, there was something brighter on my mind. I’d missed Aloth, us wizards had gotten along well. I was awfully surprised to find him in Deadfire, and I was a little annoyed that he was being evasive as to what he was doing here, but given the nature of his work, I understood.

As the pair of us caught up, Xoti got to cooking. She put aside her cloak, and tied her hair up in a ponytail. For the first time, I got a very good look at the young priestess. Her skin was a shade of caramel that I hadn’t seen on many people, and suited her well. Her face was pleasantly shaped, as was her body, lean and athletic. I was suddenly a lot better disposed towards her presence on our team.

I was preoccupied with Eothas’ rampage and the Huana queen, so I didn’t notice Pallegina until she spoke up. When I did, my heart soared. Were I not the centre of attention, I probably would have whispered greetings to her there and then. I was excited for the rest of the discussion, and was all too happy to welcome two new officers onto my crew.

The moment the court was dismissed, I walked up to Pallegina, and gave her a hug. She stiffened slightly, but ultimately returned it. As we pulled away, I said “Pallegina! I missed you!”

Pallegina smiled politely. “Ado, aimica. It has been too long. I’m glad to be serving with you again.”

Maia smirked. “Old ‘friends’?”

I looked at her sideways (was it just me, or did her markings remind me of- problem for later) and said “Pallegina jumped with me to fight the nigh-immortal champion of Woedica in the birthplace of the gods. Yeah, we’re close.” I turned back to Pallegina. “It’s been, what, five years? How have you been?”

The paladin replied “It has been an eventful five years, but I am doing well. The rest can wait until we’ve had a moment to stop, ac?”

Pallegina explained to me her past with the animancer Giacolo. “… In any case, he told me it was what was causing my body to change. I begged him to remove it. He refused at first, saying it was impossible. When I told him I would kill myself if he didn’t, he said he would try.”

Faces fell throughout our party. I forced myself to look at her. “I… I know how you feel.”

Pallegina sadly smiled. “I’m not sure anyone but us could understand.”

I nodded. “When was this?”

Pallegina explained “I was 12. My body was changing in many ways. Being the only girl… the only godlike girl at the academy was unbearable.”

I rubbed my crest. “I see. About that age was when my crest grew. It used to be just this… kind of like a crystal embedded in my forehead. I could still wear hoods and some hats. Then, one day, my father noticed it had grown into two points, and by the end of the year…” I tapped my crest to convey the point. “I’m not going to pretend that I understand exactly what it is you went through but… well, I was always in the company of people that thought I should have been sacrificed to Rymyrgand. A couple tried to tie me to an altar, once in a while.”

Pallegina shifted just a bit closer. “Did you ever consider killing yourself?”

I whispered “Yeah.”

There was a long silence. Tekehu looked between us. “What say? Is this what it means to be godlike, in other parts of the world?”

Pallegina didn’t look at him. “Ac.”

I placed a hand on her shoulder. “Regardless… I’m glad you’re still here.”

Pallegina returned the gesture. “Agracima. The feeling is mutual.”

I couldn’t tear my eyes off the newest member of our crew. It wasn’t that she was pretty (okay, she was breathtaking, but that wasn’t it), but that she was a fampyr. Ydwin wasn’t the first undead I’d encountered or dealt with, but most had been on guarded terms at best. Ydwin, however had joined our party and proved her skills and trustworthiness.

Ydwin must have noticed me staring. “Is there a problem, captain?”

I suddenly noticed my own state. “Sorry, it’s- gods, this is embarrassing. Is this what people who stare at me are thinking?”

Pallegina rolled her eyes. “I doubt they’re thinking much at all.”

I blushed. “Maybe, but I’m just… fascinated. You’re the only fampyr I’ve met that-” - that hasn’t killed innocents, was what I was about to say. I quickly rephrased. “- that I’m actually on something like friendly terms with, and… I’m wondering so many things. But I shouldn’t stare, I’m sorry Ydwin.”

She coolly replied “Apology accepted.”

We kept walking as I strove to suppress the millions of questions dancing in my head.

Watcher of Caed Nua, Captain of the Defiant, Herald of Berath, Hound of Eothas… wearing so many figurative hats was stressful. Luckily, we had a moment to rest at the Wild Mare, where there was plenty of drink with which to free me of my worries.

Spurred on by the alcohol, some of what was bothering me decided to leave via my mouth. “You know, you know what’s, bullshit?”

Eder said “Let me guess: The gods?”

I looked at him. “I- uh, yeah, they’re bullshit. But you know what’s even more bullshit? Women.” I slammed my tankard on the table in frustration. “There’s so many of them. And they’re all so pretty! And they, and people just… expect me to pick one. It’s not fair.”

Serafen laughed. “Aye, I can understand that. Why not you pick up yourself some Principi lasses? They’re a little more open.”

I shook my head, causing it to swim. “N… no. They’re all the way over there.” I pointed generally east (I think). “But the really pretty women… they’re all here. I mean, look at- hey Pallegina, can I call you pretty?”

Pallegina’s reaction was that of a startled deer. “I- what? I- you- you shouldn’t, Watcher.”

It was disappointing. “Okay. But what about, um, Ydwin? You’re real pretty, even though you’re dead.” The look of alarm on Ydwin’s face reminded me of something. “Wait, you don’t like talking about that. I’m sorry. But it’s so interesting!”

Aloth cleared his throat. “Erm, perhaps you should turn in for the night, Watcher.”

I looked at him, though it took a bit of effort to focus. “You know, you- I mean you’d make a pretty woman. If you wanted.”

A grin as Iselmyr came to the fore. “What do I keep tellin’ the lad! He’d be looking right bonny in a nice dress.”

Maia chuckled. “She’s right.”

Aloth was deeply blushing when he reasserted control. “Erm, I’m quite alright, thank you.”

Xoti leaned over the table. “You can call me pretty if you want, Watcher.”

That sounded nice. “Okay. You’re pretty. Really pretty. You’re hair’s… you know, pretty. Even though you’ve got all that Eothas stuff.” As Xoti pouted, I added “It’s all Thaos’ fault. He could’ve said ‘all women get to kiss all the other women. Because they’re pretty.’ But he didn’t.”

I tried to take another sip of my drink, only to find it was empty. I needed some more…

…

…

…

I felt like I’d just been clubbed in the back of the head. The room was hazy, as were the memories of the previous night. I blinked, trying to clear my vision. The first thing I saw was Pallegina. Certainly not the worst way to wake up. Though I was a little surprised to find my head was resting in her lap. As I tried to puzzle out the implications, my head throbbed painfully. Instead, I managed something of a groan. “Nrgh… morning…”

Pallegina looked down at me. “Ado, casita.”

I asked “How much did I drink last night?”

Serafen’s voice came from nearby. “Just enough to prove you can’t hold liquor for shit.”

I aimed an offensive gesture in his direction. Then I grit my teeth, and managed to slowly sit up, my head pounding in protest the whole way. I was in the top floor of the Wild Mare. “So, ngh… so why am I- was I lying in Pallegina’s lap?”

Serafen smirked. “Mainly because that’s where ye crawled before ye passed out. Right cuddly when drunk, you are. That, and Pallegina be liking you.”

Pallegina’s feathers bristled. “It- it’s not because I like you or anything, postenaga! I- I just wanted to make sure you got your sleep. You are my casita, we’re counting on you.”

Serafen’s voice slipped into my thoughts. For a lass that not be liking you, she spent a lot of the night stroking your hair. Be making of that what ye will.

I elected to wait until my head was fully functioning before I decided to process that.

Maia and Pallegina had more than a little in common. Both of them were patriotic soldiers, veterans of war, and dependable. Both were also, by no fault of their own, outsiders among their own people, Maia dogged by her Huana heritage and Pallegina by Hylea’s dubious ‘gift’. Which made it all the more baffling how they fought.

One exchange involved Maia claiming most avian godlike she’d met were poets or singers. When Pallegina responded with due snark, Maia said “Someone’s egg rolled out of the nest.”

Irritation boiled in me as I stopped walking and turned to Maia. “Maia, I am really disappointed in you. I thought you would have known better than to make remarks like that.”

The sharpshooter seemed surprised. “Captain? It was just a joke.”

My lips tightened into a line. “’Just a joke’? Do you think it would be funny if, I don’t know, if I checked to see if you have a tail?”

Maia frowned. “One I’ve heard a million times.”

Pallegina picked up the argument for me. “Di verus, now we understand eachother. Do you know how many postenagos have straight up asked if I laid eggs?”

I piggybacked off of the argument. “And I know you’ve heard sailors- Hel, our own crew- arguing about what kind of omen I am behind my back.”

Pallegina scowled. “And speaking of our crew, no less than two of them somehow got the impression that I can talk to birds! Do you know how annoying it is actually having to explain that I can’t? You would have thought it would be simple, but apparently some superstitious illiterate deckhand is the authority on the powers of Godlike!”

Maia held up a hand to stop us. “Listen I- Look, in the navy, us sharpshooters talk to eachother like that all the time. Usually more creative than random idiots on the streets, but I’ve been jabbed at more than once for the colour of my skin. All harmless fun.”

I huffed. “The difference is in the dose. We get this crap all the time. We don’t need any more from you.”

Maia reluctantly said. “Alright then. I’ll find something else to rib Pallegina about.”

I sighed. “It’s a start…”

I’d managed to resolve my Awakening, so I was no longer in any danger of going mad. But my sleep schedule had suffered permanent damage, and the gods knocking me out whenever they wanted a word didn’t exactly do it any favours. Which is why, one cool night, I was wandering the ship, stretching my legs in-between study sessions (being a wizard was hard work!), and found Ydwin standing awfully close to one of the ships lanterns, holding her coat tight, and looking frustrated. I looked at her quizzically. “Ydwin?”

She took a deep breath. “Forgive me, captain. As a result of my… experiment, my body produces very little of its own heat. While I’m used to the cold, it can make some nights… difficult.”

I could warm you up A little voice in my head offered, unhelpfully. I quickly overwrote it with a more helpful idea. I returned to my quarters where I could invite Ydwin to warm- I realised that it was going to require some effort to keep my focus on the project. I spent about two hours in my quarters, working my enchantment magic. Or rather, I spent an hour working on a project interleaved with an hour of daydreaming about Ydwin.

Eventually, I managed to finish, and returned to find Ydwin hadn’t moved. I presented her with a small stone, inscribed with runes. “Here.” As she took it, I explained “It’s been enchanted to radiate heat. Hopefully more convenient than a lantern.”

Her smile was small but genuine as she slipped the stone into a coat pocket. “Very helpful captain, dhakklát.”

I managed to stop myself from suggesting ways she could thank me, simply accepting her thanks and returning to my quarters.

The luminous adra infused in the waters of the luminous bathhouse invigorated all those who bathed in it. For a party of adventurers that lived a violent life, that was an edge that shouldn’t just be ignored. Besides, taking a ship from untamed wilderness to untamed wilderness meant that dirt built up and rarely washed away. And a few witty words had won us a discount from the bathhouse steward. Really, there were plenty of reasons for me to fork out the pands to treat my officers to a session in the baths.

The fact that I got to see said officers in bathing suits had nothing to do with my decision, of course.

Maia drew my attention the most easily. Tall, a little taller than Maneha with less muscle, but still more than enough to be distinct. More of an athletic build than the barbarian’s brawn. She’d undone her hair from her usual bun, letting it flow freely. As I watched, she slid deeper into the water until she was fully submerged, before resurfacing with a shower of water, shaking the bulk of it out of her hair.

Lounging next to her was Xoti. Xoti was much shorter, being a bit below human average (though still taller than me). However, she was no less fit, her muscles faintly defined. Her body was flavoured with the occasional scar, one or two being ones she picked up on our voyage.

Idly watching the pair was Ydwin. The fampyr’s body was elegant and lithe, her porcelain skin only bearing the slightest blemishes. She removed her glasses for the bath, though her calm, aloof posture meant she could never be mistaken for anything but a scholar. Her red eyes gave her an exotic look that I found irresistible.

Near her was Fassina, reclining at the edge of the bath with her eyes lazily closed. Her hair was undone from its usual braids, drifting in the water around her. She was a little stockier than Ydwin, and not quite as athletic as Maia or Xoti, but a career in adventuring did a lot to keep her body in fine condition.

Last but by no means least was Pallegina. An athletic build, abs as well defined as Maia’s, and her body peppered with scars, as well as tufts of feathers. The bath was one of the rare times I saw her approach anything resembling relaxed, as she lounged disinterestedly on-

The sight was blocked by Tekehu surfacing next to me. He dramatically flicked his head as one would to clear water from hair, but the move was obviously purely for show. “Captain. Are you enjoying the baths?”

I was enjoying them a lot less now. What the Hel did anyone see in Tekehu? Or any man, for that matter? Square jaws, flat chests, no hips, unpleasant voices, half of them had rough facial hair… My gaze leapt away from the posing godlike and sought out a more pleasing sight. Realising Tekehu’s words warranted a response, I said “They’re alright.”

Tekehu laughed. “What say? Warm water, a chance to relax, and all these beautiful figures…” He gestured to some of the other guests (including, I had to admit, a few other lovely women). “And the best you can say is ‘alright’?” I didn’t respond, instead turning my gaze to the side, watching Xoti do her best to get all the dirt out of her hair. Tekehu noticed. “Ah, so that’s why you paid for all of us! You’re a most cunning captain, Watcher.” He leaned closer. “But if you ever wish to see my scales obscured with nothing but a bathing suit, you need only ask.”

I said “Which is why I don’t.”

Tekehu withdrew. “Oh. Very well captain, I’ll leave you to pursue those more to your tastes.”

With my sleep schedule basically non-existent, I found myself dozing off at random times when there was nothing pressing holding my attention. In several instances, I woke up back in my bed, evidently having been carried there by one of my companions.

One day, I was invited back to consciousness by the sound of an argument. That could have been trouble. I hurried to shake off sleep, and glanced up to see Maia and Pallegina standing over me, their argument having abruptly stopped. I glanced between them. I sighed. “Alright, what’s it about this time?”

The pair simultaneously looked away from eachother, saying “Nothing.”

I frowned. “An awful lot of fuss over nothing.”

As the two soldiers tried to formulate a response, Eder poked his head through a hatch. “They were arguing over who gets to carry you to bed.”

I looked up at him. “Seriously?”

I heard Aloth- or rather Iselmyr- call out from behind Eder. “Yer right bonnie when kipping.”

Maia and Pallegina were both pointedly avoiding looking at eachother. And me.

The Unity’s mess had emptied out, but I remained, pursing a worn book clad in black leather. I looked through the records, letting each take me back to the past. It was a journey of regrets and strife. Which is why I walked it.

Soft footsteps announced Maia’s arrival. “Captain?”

I didn’t look up. “Yes?”

A pause. “… Whatcha got there?”

I thought for a second, then handed her the book. She flipped through a few pages, her brow furrowed. She looked back up at me quizzically. I said “It’s a record I keep. Of all the people I’ve killed.”

Maia looked back at the book. “Some of us carve notches into our rifles, but… why all this? A lot of effort, and if the wrong people got their hands on it-”

I answered “I have nothing to hide. And I need to remember…” I paused. “Maia. Do you remember the first time you killed? Kith?”

Maia thought a moment. “Yeah. My first deployment with the Gunhawks, bandit in the southlands. Got him in the opening volley. Why?”

I asked “Do you remember how it felt?”

Maia shrugged. “Didn’t really think about it. He was a target I took out.”

I responded “I remember my first. A Glanfathan raider, thought our caravan had intruded on sacred ruins. I don’t… I’m not so naive as to call what happened there the wrong choice; he was trying to kill me, I had the right to fight back. But the spell landing, blood staining the grass, the sight of a dead body… and he thought he was doing what the gods commanded. Hel, he was right, in that at least.”

Maia frowned. “Is this about my mission?”

I stood angrily. “Of course it’s about your damn mission! You pulled the trigger on an innocent man! I’ve added people to that book for less than what you’ve done!”

There was a tense silence. “… and you’re considering adding me.”

I met Maia’s eyes. “It’s there to stop me from killing easily.”

Maia’s hand drifted towards her weapon. “You’ve killed a few of my comrades.”

I stepped forward. “Soldiers, Maia. We know what we’re getting into, we’re not innocents. But a ranga, just for encouraging peace?”

Maia’s brow furrowed. “I’m not sure whether or not a ranga would count as a civilian.”

I responded “Even if he’s not, what in Hel did he do wrong? Unity with the other tribes is a good thing!”

Maia folded her arms. “Debatable.”

I pointed at her. “You’re the one that argued Atsura was bringing peace. And look at him sabotaging it!”

Maia turned her back on me. There was a long pause. “… if you need a reason to not shoot me… let me say you’ve got a point. As I said, this isn’t what I signed up for. And I’ll be letting Atsura know that.”

I slowly walked up to her, taking back my book. “… I’ll hold you to that.”

Ships were always tight spaces; even after I upgraded to a dhow, there was only so much space to go around. While the Unity wasn’t a cargo ship, it occasionally resembled one with the amount of loot I’d taken from the field to sell at bargain prices to whoever would give me a pand. But when Ydwin asked me for room for some animancy equipment, I couldn’t say no (and not just because I had a crush on her, like I did half of the women on the damn boat).

I found a bit of unused space in between parts of the cargo hold, and crammed in a workbench and what little animancy equipment I could. It wasn’t much, but Ydwin was keenly aware of my limitations, and was deeply appreciative.

She also sincerely appreciated my abilities as a Watcher. What took most animancers a fortune of massive equipment and an hour to find, I could see in a matter of moments. So, one night, after most of the crew had hit the bunk, Ydwin asked me into the lab to help her look over some animat remains.

The lab could barely fit one person, so the two of us were crammed in tight. Very tight. We were pressed up against eachother, and even through her fine frock coat I could feel her every curve. We shifted against eachother more than once, each of us reaching for different samples or equipment. My crest pulsed bright enough that we didn’t need a candle.

And, just my luck, one of the samples contained a shred of amorous emotion. Just a shred, and absent memory or context, but it was more than enough to make me even more flustered. As I withdrew from the In-between, I said “Did I mention I literally experience whatever emotion or memory I, well, ‘see’?”

Ydwin answered “You have more than once, usually followed by a complaint that the memory or emotion in question is particularly unpleasant. Is that the case with this sample?”

I flushed. I considered lying, but… no, I valued the truth. “Er, not unpleasant, per se, it was just… it’s bound to a particularly… intimate emotion. Ugh, it feels warm in here…”

I fanned myself with my robes as Ydwin examined the fragment. “Hm… it doesn’t seem terribly strong. Is the equipment calibrated properly?”

My crest pulsed with emotion. “Er, I think so- I mean, it’s not strong- I mean, I felt it but- Maybe it just compounded-, I-” I just barely managed to stop myself from confessing my feelings for the elegant, confident, intelligent, fascinating Ydwin…

Ydwin set the fragment down. “Your crest is pulsing quite heavily, captain. Perhaps it would be best to leave this for tonight? Under stress, you’re more liable to make mistakes.”

I clamped down on my racing heart. “Er, yeah, I guess…”

Ydwin shifted around me, and exited the lab. I felt a little disappointed at not feeling her body on my own. Then, she paused, turned back to me, and stepped close. We weren’t outright touching, but she delicately tested the boundaries. “Of course, I’d gladly work with you again. I find… you’re pleasant company.”

I direly wanted to kill Atsura for what he was doing, but aside from the damage that would do to Maia’s career, that move would win me one Hel of an enemy, as well as requiring a risky escape from the Brass Citadel. So, I satisfied myself with making some threats and storming out.

As I walked out, Maia cleared her throat conspicuously, and fidgeted with uncharacteristic nervousness. As I looked at her, she asked “Oh. You wanted something, captain?”

I didn’t beat around the bush. “You were the one trying to get my attention.”

Maia chuckled and crossed her arms. “What, me? I’ll go ahead and say it. You’re halfway toward all right.”

I wasn’t entirely sure that that was a compliment. “Thank you, I think?”

Maia shifted nervously. “Harmless compliment, I promise. Have you ever… ugh. Dumb question, but here I go anyway. You ever gotten close to someone, even though it just wasn’t… ordinary?”

It took me a second to parse what she meant, but when I did, my thoughts jammed. It had been a long time since I’d had any conversations like this. I stood stunned for a second as I quickly got my mind back in working order. “Listen, can we… have this conversation later? When I’m not still seriously considering killing your boss?”

Maia nodded. “That would overshadow all this, wouldn’t it? Later, then.”

We kept walking, but I couldn’t entirely forget the tension that had started to build between us.

After we took rooms at the bathhouse for some well deserved rest, I stood on the balcony, watching the sun slowly set. Maia came up beside me. “So, captain… is now a good time?”

I chuckled to myself. “The weight of Eora’s on my shoulders. Don’t think there will ever be a good time, but now’s as probably as good as we’re going to get.”

Maia leaned back on the railing. “Not exactly ordinary, huh?”

I rubbed my crest. “I don’t have ‘ordinary’. Ondra saw to that.”

Maia quietly said “Sorry to hear that.” In a lighter tone, she brought the conversation back on topic. “Anyway, captain, I don’t want to overthink… this. Just testing the waters here. We can see where it goes.”

I took a deep breath. I looked up at her, giving me a seductive smile. Did I have a thing for brawny aumaua? More than, you know, women in general? My train of thought wandered a while, and I remembered Iovara. Bound deep within the earth, waiting for me. I wondered if the return of Eothas was something so apocalyptic that she felt it even in her prison, or if she still had no idea of what was going on on the surface. I wanted to see her again. But I got… lonely, from time to time. But there was also Pallegina, and Ydwin…

Maia raised her eyebrows. “Captain? What did I just say I didn’t want to do?”

I laughed in spite of myself. “I’m afraid there’s going to be a lot of thought. You remember Iovara? I do want to free her from her prison, one day, and she and I… and that’s before we account for the fact that Pallegina’s… Pallegina.”

Maia nodded. “I do remember you drunkenly bemoaning the fact that you couldn’t kiss every woman you wanted.”

I rubbed the back of my neck. “Uh, yeah. So no matter which way we cut this, my love life… is either very complicated, or about to be.”

Maia shifted away from me, just a little. “Do you want to keep it simple?”

I paused. “… Not really.”

Maia grinned. “That could get a girl in trouble. Not that I mind. The funny thing is that Ishi can get… particular about people. And when he doesn’t take to someone, neither do I.”

I knelt down to the bird, who was never far from the ranger. “A ranger’s bond, I can understand. I can kind of… ‘see’ it, with my Watcher senses.” I delved into the bird’s soul, and while I found it, there was another presence; a light, a passion, the beating of wings and rustling of feathers.

This is… unexpected

Hylea. I slowly stood, my expression immediately souring. “Hold on a moment.” I walked to the bathhouse’s opposite balcony, and switched to my native engwithan before yelling towards the sky what could be loosely translated as “CAN YOU FAKE-ASS BASTARDS KEEP OUT OF MY BUSINESS FOR TEN FUCKING SECONDS!?”

Maia looked at me from across a walkway. “Er, captain?”

I turned back to her, groaning. “Hylea’s spying on me through your feathered friend.”

Maia raised an eyebrow. “Come on captain, you knew what you were signing up for when you brought me on board.”

I sighed. “Yes, but I’d like to go ten seconds without the gods butting into my business.” I buried my face in my hands. “Should’ve listened to Iovara…”

I wasn’t sure I terribly needed a vailian frock coat, but Ydwin did look very nice in one. And her measuring me for one netted me a good deal of time being close and personal with her.

She spoke to me in our native Ordhjoma. “So, I’ve heard you’ve been getting… close, to Maia.”

My first instinct was the tell her it was none of her business, but if I ever wanted to involve her in my increasingly complicated love life (which I did)… “Er, yes. I’m not entirely sure where it will be going but… what can I say? She’s an attractive woman. Witty, too, in that fatalistic kind of way.” When Ydwin looked a touch disappointed, I added “But we’re not going exclusive- at least, I don’t think so, not yet. I should probably make sure we’ve got that cleared up. It’s kind of important with Iovara still trapped in Breith Eaman.”

Ydwin examined her measurements. “That would complicate matters, wouldn’t it?”

I chuckled. “As I told Maia, I’m godlike. I don’t get ‘normal’. And…”

When I hesitated, Ydwin said “I recall her being present when you drunkenly complained about the expectation of exclusive relationships.”

I shook my head. “I’m never going to hear the end of that, am I?”

Ydwin raised an eyebrow. “Considering you just said you didn’t wish for an exclusive relationship while totally sober, no, I don’t expect you will.”

My shoulders slumped. “Hel, I have a weakness for women, don’t I?”

Ydwin smirked. “Like Eder with animals.”

I opened my mouth to present a counterexample, and found myself lacking. It didn’t help that most of my brain was busy processing just how beautiful Ydwin looked when she was focusing.

When I saw Maia and Xoti making out in the hold of the Unity, my first reaction was jealousy. I had to remind myself that if I wanted to be spared exclusivity, I owed Maia the same.

And, I had to be honest with myself, Xoti was awfully attractive, even if her faith grated me.

As I processed all this, Maia noticed me staring. “Oh. Captain. I trust you don’t have a problem?” There was a subtle note of challenge in her voice.

It took a second for me to find something to say. I looked at Xoti. “Leave some for me!”

The pair laughed. Maia seductively ran a hand down her thigh.“Don’t worry cap, there’s plenty of me to go around.”

I was comparing the sight of adra lenses and my own senses when Ydwin slipped in to the lab. “My apologies, captain, I was delayed.”

It wasn’t the easiest thing to keep track of time on the ship, so I dismissed the matter with a wave. I handed Ydwin the apparatus. “I think my Watcher sight messes with the way I see this… thing. What do you find?”

Ydwin examined the animat shard through the device for a moment. She opened her mouth to say something, paused, and then slowly withdrew a feather from her mouth. She examined it for a moment, then discarded it.

I watched as the feather drifted to the ground. It was one I recognised, and I was fairly certain Ydwin didn’t suffer hallucinations that lead to her mistaking companions for millennia-past lovers. I gestured to where the feather landed on the deck. “Did you…”

Ydwin raised an eyebrow, and her voice slid into my thoughts. Captain, you and I both know that Pallegina would rather not discuss such matters.

So it was true. Ydwin and Pallegina… I just barely stifled a laugh. “Ydwin, you legend!”

I listened as Yngfrith recounted the story of her and Modwyr. I could see she bore a deep guilt, and that I could understand. I held Modwyr in my hands as the sword entrusted her fate to me. I knew the right choice would hurt. Despite that, it was remarkably easy to make.

I looked at Yngfrith. “I… know something about guilt. Many lifetimes ago, I… I killed the woman I loved, watched her publicly tortured… out of damn cowardice. I’ve kept that guilt for two thousand years.” I ran a thumb over the flat of Modwyr’s blade. “You can’t escape something that’s a part of you. The only thing that I’ve found works is trying to redeem yourself. What I’ve done… I don’t think I could undo it in a hundred lifetimes. But every time I work towards it, every time I save a life, every time someone thanks me for what I do… I feel more like I deserve it. Deserve a chance at redemption.”

I addressed Modwyr. “Modwyr, as I’ve said, I’m a wizard. A back-liner. I don’t think I can give you what you want, not in the long term.”

The sword’s voice wavered. “Yeah… I do want to be more than a backup weapon.”

I nodded sadly. “Exactly. Yngfrith can give you that.” I looked up at the cipher, offering her Modwyr. “And you do deserve a chance at redemption. You can start with this.”

A dozen emotions flicked across Yngfrith’s face as she took the sword, but her expression finally settled on resolve. “You’re right. I’ve got a responsibility, and it’s past time I stopped running from it. Me and Modwyr, as it always should have been.”

I could already feel the lightness in my scabbard. “Goodbye, Modwyr. You two take care of eachother.”

Modwyr simply said “Goodbye”, though her voice trembled with all the emotions she couldn’t put into words. But, as the pair turned and left, I heard Modwyr’s voice slip into my thoughts. Thank you.

There was nothing quite like the chance to drop one’s heavy pack after a long day of adventuring. Even with a little magic to keep the bulk of my loot in an extradimensional space, the amount of gear an adventurer had to carry was heavy enough to make it feel like I could fly when I finally set it down. I opened the door to my quarters.

And found Maia and Xoti making out on my bed.

The two looked up at me as I stood there, stunned. I found something to say. “… Are you seriously making out on my bed… and you didn’t invite me?”

The pair glanced at eachother, then back at me. Maia grinned. “We could solve that problem, if you wanted.”

I set my pack aside, desire already running hot through my body. “That sounds nice.”

Maia was never afraid to warm my bunk, though I wondered if it was at least in part because my quarters were noticeably more comfortable than the crew’s berths, as opposed to whatever feelings to had for me. I wasn’t always joining her. Tonight, there were other things on my mind.

Being a wizard was a lot of work, to say nothing of being a captain, Watcher, or the Herald Of Berath. Learning to shape the essence permeating the world into material effects was something that involved a lot of study and calculation, and to be effective in combat, you had to be willing to make complex calculations on the fly. The only real way to be able to do that was a lot of practise.

A lot of frustrating practise. I slammed my grimiore shut in frustration after another spell construct nearly blew up in my face. Maia unhelpfully commented “You’re supposed to blow up the bad guys.”

I looked at her over my shoulder. “You’re so smart, you try it.” I returned to facing the desk, looked at the closed grimiore for a moment, then buried my face in my hands.

I heard Maia stand and approach me (just barely; despite her size, the woman made little noise she didn’t want to). “Alright, I think that’s enough for tonight, captain.”

To my surprise, she then picked me up. She turned and walked back towards the bunk, saying “You’re supposed to think better when you’re well rested. Makes it kind of impressive that you can cast all those spells with your sleep schedule.”

Being carried was too nice of a sensation for me to object, nor could I when she lowered herself back onto the bunk, leaving me lying atop her. As I pondered whether or not I could do any more work tonight, she started gently stroking my hair just right. A happy sigh escaped me before I could fully process what was happening.

I tried to return my attention to magical matters, but my head chose this moment to remind me just how heavy it was. The exhaustion of the night setting in, I rested it on Maia’s chest. She held me closer, gently kissing me on the forehead. I could feel her soft warmth all around me. I couldn’t help but sink deeper into it…

…

… Ah, Hel. The study could wait…

…

…

…

I’d gotten used to being drenched. I simply wrung out the worst of the water from my clothes, and strode down the stairs, my team in formation around me. When I walked across the promenade, looking far different without Ondra’s Mortar beating down, Hazanui Karu approached, a posse of soldiers in formation behind her.

I shook some water from my hair. “Hazanui Karu. I’m impressed; I spent a month getting the Unity ready for that storm.”

Karu had a sword in her hand. “The people of the White are the only ones, bar my countrymen, that would understand the meaning of a storm. Ukaizo belongs to us, we’ve earned it with blood and sweat. And no-one shall take it from us now.”

I rolled my eyes. “We can debate that later. If you want to blow up that giant storm machine, it’s right behind me. But the world’s about to end, and I need to mitigate the damage.”

Karu’s soldiers drew their weapons. “I can’t stop him. Neither can you. But I can give my country a chance at weathering what comes next.”

Maia stepped forward. “Ma’am, hold on. I need to tell you, this is a bad idea.”

Karu met her soldier’s gaze. “Maia, Rauatai needs the Deadfire, and to control the Deadfire, we need Ukaizo. To control Ukaizo, we need the Watcher out of the way. Fall in.”

Maia took a step forward. I felt blood drain from my face. “Karu, what are you doing? I’m willing to talk about this!”

Karu scoffed. “Are you willing to promise me, here and now, support for Rauatai’s claim on Ukaizo?” As I searched for what to say, Karu simply said “Exactly.”

As Maia passed me, I lay my hand on her shoulder. “Maia! I- I won’t presume to order you to kill your own admiral. But I will ask. Maia, please, will you stand with me now?”

Maia hesitated. “Captain, I…”

Karu glared at us. “What is this? Maia, get over here now! That is an order!”

Maia hesitated. Then she took another step. Eder groaned as he passed her. “Come on, Maia! Don’t make me fight Ishi!”

As Maia froze, I said “Listen, even if the Company casts you out, there will always be a place for you on the Unity. I promise.”

Karu paced impatiently. “What are you waiting for Maia? Your country is at stake!”

Maia took another step. I called after her “Maia! Listen to me. I fight for the people of Eora, all of them. You know that. I might have some disagreements with the Company, but I promise, I’ll fight as hard for the people of Rauatai as everyone else.”

Karu growled “Maia Rua, if you’re not by my side in ten seconds, I’ll have you court marshalled!”

I said “Maia, if you just want to sit this fight out, I won’t hold it against you.” Maia didn’t move. I readied my grimiore. “Tough choice? I know the feeling. Listen, I’ve been in your shoes a lot of times over my voyage, and I’ve learned that if there was an easy answer, we wouldn’t be having these debates. All you can do is decide what Eora you’d rather live in: One with me, or one with her.”

Aloth stepped forward. “She’s right. Maia, I’ve seen authorities like these, and they’re not good for the people they claim to protect.”

Maia glanced down at Ishiza. She spoke quietly, sadly. “What do you think, stinkfeathers?” The bird simply cocked its head. She bitterly laughed. “Never were one for politics, huh?” Maia sighed slowly. She loaded her gun. “I’m sorry… but the world needs Alteia.” She levelled it at the Hazanui.

The fight only took a couple of minutes. I watched the late Hazanui’s soul coalesce. “So… was that worth the risk?”

The ghost didn’t look at me. “I did what I had to do. No matter… I have failed my country.”

I was torn between spite and sympathy. “Karu… I meant what I said to Maia. I-”

Karu interrupted “She betrayed Rauatai!”

I smirked grimly. “And who will know? Speaking of, unless you want to hang around for decades, or even longer, on the off chance there’s a Rauataian Watcher passing through, I suggest you get to the Wheel while it’s still spinning.”

Karu glared at me, before fading into nothingness. I sighed, turning to Maia, examining one of the corpses with a tear in her eye. “Maia-”

She held up a hand to stop me. “Captain, not now.”

I nodded. “I understand. Alright, Eothas is waiting. Move out.”

We picked our way through the gilded streets for a while. After a few minutes, I said “Listen, I know I’m normally one for the truth, but since it’s your whole life at stake, I’m willing to let you decide what we tell others.” Maia nodded and hummed in acknowledgement, but said nothing, deep in thought.

The Wheel collapsed with a blast that rocked all three worlds, so I saw it twice over, knocking me clean out. Consciousness came back to me slowly. Eder’s voice was the first thing I heard. “Hey, what did I tell you about spacing out dying?”

I aimed an offensive gesture in his direction. The shape of Aloth crouching over me slowly came into view. “Watcher, are you alright?”

I groaned, and sat up. “The Wheel… it’s gone. Hel, it’s gone…” I buried my head in my hands. “Skyt… I’ll… I’ll be fine, I think. It’s just… I saw the shockwave in the In-between… and the Here… twice… ugh…”

We were inside an Ukaizo building, its furniture mostly having rotted away in Ondra’s storm. Maia was standing outside, looking out. I slowly walked out behind her. “Maia?”

She didn’t look at me. “… The Hazanui died in the shipwreck. Along with all her men.”

I gently ran a hand down her back in a vain effort to comfort her. “Fair enough.”

We slowly walked back to the Unity. With a mental message to the Steward, I had it brought in to the now calm docks. I strode up onto the deck, and called the crew. “Well, it’s done. The Wheel’s been destroyed. Our hunt for Eothas is over, and I’m no longer the Herald Of Berath. Our voyage is nearly over. For now, some last orders: Firstly, you no doubt noticed the Rauataian ship wrecked there. It was lost with all hands.”

Serafen said “Er, cap? I saw a party crawl out and-”

Maia interrupted “They died in the storm. That’s what we tell everyone else.”

The crew slowly nodded. I continued “On a related note, there’s a big bonus for all of you once we’re back at Neketaka. A bonus that will be bigger if we have genuine Engwithan artefacts to sell. My field team gets an hour’s rest, then we’re back to work. Tekehu, Ydwin, Serafen, I have a special assignment for you. Pallegina, take a team and scope the area near the docks, mark valuable items and threats. Deckhands, patch up any urgent damage, take an hour’s break, then get ready to bring in our hauls.” As my crew moved out, Tekehu, Ydwin, and Serafen gathered around me for their assignment. “Alright, we’re saying the Hazanui Karu and her men died in the storm, and so we can’t leave any evidence to the contrary. Your assignment is to get rid of that evidence. Head to the promenade, get rid of the bodies, and thoroughly clean the place. Serafen and Ydwin, I need you to get rid of any remaining essence as well.”

Ydwin rubbed her chin. “Uncharacteristically deceptive of you, captain.”

I nodded. “Maia killed her own admiral. If the truth of what happened here got out…”

Tekehu looked over at the sharpshooter, leaning on the railing, looking out to sea. “What say? I knew she would stand by her heritage!”

I frowned. “It had nothing to do with ‘Huana heritage’. I’m not a cipher, but I think it had more to do with the Hazanui trying to kill me. She said something about the world needing me.” Something occurred to me. “That reminds me, I found Ngati’s covenant. Well, had a vision of it. I’ll write down what I remember.”

Tekehu’s eyes widened. “Truly? You- What a gift!”

I shrugged. “I like sharing knowledge.”

Serafen raised a furry eyebrow. “What were ye-?”

He was interrupted by Maia approaching. “Captain? I… I want to give my comrades to Ondra myself.”

I nodded. “Of course, go with the others. Take any help you need.”

Not long after, I watched Maia haul some bodies into the waters around Ukaizo, Tekehu guiding the currents to pull them deeper into the waves. She spoke of them as she worked. “Kuhra. Broke my leg when training, she carried me a couple of kilometres. Verno. Always said I’d be burying him. Ira. Ishiza never liked her.” I wrote down what she said in my black book.

When she finished, Maia stood, gazing at the water. “… What you said back there, about fighting for all the people of Eora. I’m holding you to that.”

I put my book away. “I’m a woman of my word.”

I leaned on the Unity’s railing, watching Ukaizo sink into the distance. Maia came up beside me. I wasn’t entirely sure what to say; she’d hardly said a word since Karu’s death. Finally, she said “So. What happens next?”

I remained focused on the horizon. “I book out the whole luminous bathhouse for the crew. Hand out bonuses. Then, I find a nice beach, and for two weeks, the rest of Eora can solve their own fucking problems.”

Maia covered my hand with hers. “I’m due for shore leave. Can I join you?”

I turned to her, our eyes meeting. We drank in the sight of eachother. “Sure.”

I wasn’t exaggerating about booking the whole luminous bathhouse. Expensive, yes, but there was a lot of gold on Ukaizo; enough to make my assets as Lady of Caed Nua almost pitiful. That, combined with all the wealth I’d accrued over my voyage, and I had more than enough money to book out the bathhouse, give each member of my crew enough of a bonus to nearly retire on, and still had enough left over to leave me almost as rich as any member of the Songretta.

The night was an emotional one. All the crew had a lot on their mind; the Wheel had been broken. The voyage was over. Everyone was now well off. People would now go their separate ways. It was a lot to process. I had no idea whether or not the amount of alcohol imbibed that night helped, but I could hardly blame the crew for celebrating. I partook more than a little myself.

As I celebrated, I noticed Xoti was absent. I slid into the waters and swam over to Maia. “Hey, have you seen Xoti?”

She answered “She left half an hour ago, said something about needing to go to the temple. Will probably be back by morning.” Xoti’s deteriorating mental state had been worrying me for a long while, but I figured that there were worse things than heading to the temple. Besides, I’d just seen the Wheel destroyed; I’d worried more than my fair share, someone else could deal with Xoti for all I had the energy to care. I returned to the celebration. It was otherwise a good night, full of laughter and friendship.

…

…

…

My head was punishing me for my drinking when the sun’s light drifted through the curtains of my room. But my aches were balanced by the warmth of a body beside mine, and the sensation of being gently stroked. Figuring out who it was would involve fighting through the haze of the hangover, and that was too much effort to be worth it. So, I just sunk into the warmth.

Fortunately, my partner decided to identify themselves. “’Morning, captain.” Maia. I managed a satisfied grunt by way of greeting, grabbing her arm and holding it closer. The sharpshooter laughed softly. “Hangover?” I mumbled affirmatively.

The bed shifted slightly, in a manner which indicated a third person on the bed starting to stir. “Mm? Oh. Good morning, both of you.” It was Ydwin. I managed to scrape together enough motivation to twist around and clumsily kiss my two lovers in turn, before sinking back into Maia’s embrace.

The aumaua sighed happily, clearly enjoying having a woman either side of her. “Gods, I can’t remember the last time I had a lazy morning.”

We spent a long time lying there, indulging in eachother’s warmth.

Pallegina and I stood on the docks at Queen’s Berth. Her pack was laden with her personal effects, as well as her cut of our many treasures. While I knew this was coming, it didn’t make things any easier. I said “Sure I can’t convince you to hang around for a holiday?”

Pallegina shook her head sadly. “Sientere, aimica, but I must report to the ducs. Much has happened here, and it will be a long voyage home.”

Was it wrong, that I held a secret hope that the ducs would cast her out again, and she would find her way back to my side? I glanced around the docks, suddenly finding it harder to look at her. “What do you think they’ll say?”

Pallegina shrugged. “That is not important. But the future of the Republics is bright, thanks to you.”

I placed a hand on her shoulder. “Pallegina… I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again. No matter what they say, there will always be a place for you by my side.”

Pallegina returned the gesture. “I appreciate that. I hope our paths will cross again.”

I pulled her just a bit closer. “I… I care about you, Pallegina. A lot.”

The other godlike hesitated. “… We shouldn’t, Alteia. Not like this.”

It took a while for me to decide what to say. “… I don’t agree, but I’ll respect your decision.” I slowly withdrew. “Pallegina-”

Pallegina said “I have to leave, Watcher. It will be some time before we see eachother again.”

I blinked back tears. “I know. Cores.”

Pallegina stepped back. Then she stepped forward, took my head in her hands, and kissed me. I kissed back. I indulged in the sensations, each moment stretching out into an eternity that was yet far too short. All too soon, Pallegina pulled away. “Cores.”

There were a lot of beaches in the Deadfire to choose from, and my voyage had taken me to a good deal of them. So it was easy to find a cool, relatively empty one that was only a few hours away by boat. Docking the Unity in a quiet Huana village, I gathered two weeks of provisions, and took what of her crew hadn’t already left camping.

I was no longer the herald of Berath. I’d fulfilled all of my obligations to the various powers of the Deadfire, and I had more than wealth enough to cover my expenses for a long while. I’d dealt with most of the people that wanted me dead. The gods weren’t hanging over me like a shadow. I was beholden to no-one, save maybe my crew, and there were happy for a holiday. With the weight of Eora lifted from my shoulders, I felt so light I could fly.

I spent most of those two weeks I allowed myself just lounging in the shade, watching the tides and indulging in the sensation of finally being free. I also indulged in the company of my lovers. Xoti had never returned from her trip to the temple, in fact the priests there said she never arrived, but I elected not to think about her. Hopefully, with Eothas gone, the visions would end and she could direct her attention to better pursuits. In the meantime, Maia and Ydwin provided myself and eachother with plenty of company. We slumbered in eachother’s embrace, watched eachother in the waves, and spoke of every subject on Eora.

I could hardly take my eyes off of Iovara’s soul, slumbering peacefully inside the vessel I’d made for her. The sight filled my heart with such a warmth that for the first time in six years, I felt like I could call myself a hero. Of course, it raised the question of what to do with her next. As Ydwin and I made camp, resting for the next leg of our journey back to the surface, I communed with her. I direly wished to give her her independence back, if nothing else. Of course, making a body for a two thousand year old spirit was no small feat, so options weren’t in abundance, but a woman with my knowledge and connections could do much. “Well, I know an animancer on the surface named Galvino. He’s created animats with full awareness and range of motion before, I’m sure I can pay him enough for him to replicate his work.”

Iovara’s soul thrummed with warmth. “Excellent. That option sounds fine.”

I added “But your senses will still be limited.”

I got the impression that Iovara shrugged. “Any perception is plenty for me, but I am not opposed to exploring other options.”

I’d been mostly focused on getting Iovara out compared with what would happen next, but I wasn’t completely lacking in ideas. “One idea I had was… merging our souls. We’d no longer be two different people.”

By her tone, I could tell the gravity of the decision wasn’t lost on Iovara, but she simply said “Very intimate of you. What would happen to our personalities?”

I rubbed my chin. “In truth, I’m not wholly sure, but I think we’d have some control of that. We might end up alternating, two personalities sharing a body. Or our personalities could be interleaved. Or… if you want, I’ll happily fade into the background.”

Iovara gave me a sad look. “You would sacrifice everything you are, simply to give me some semblance of life?”

I was resolute. “Iovara, I’m the reason you’re dead. As far as I’m concerned, my life is yours to do with as you see fit.”

Iovara was silent for a while. “… You want me to punish you. You know you cannot truly undo what you have done, so you wish to suffer for it, as if pain will redeem you.”

I had nothing to say to that. Nothing I could say.

Since I knew the path and didn’t have to tunnel, the journey back up took much less time than it did after the fight against Thaos, all those years ago. But it still took time, and the lack of plant or animal life so far underground meant that I was living off of rations. I’d dealt with worse discomforts over my adventuring career, though.

Meanwhile, Iovara and I still had a lot of catching up to do. She’d settled on going to Galvino for her new body, so I brought up another subject. “I should let you know, I’ve had… a few relationships on the surface.”

Iovara didn’t seem concerned. “Of course. You did not remember me, and I can’t expect you to remain faithful to a lonely soul, so far beneath the earth.”

I was relieved. “Good, good. Still, we should talk about what I- what we’ll do, going forward, now you’re free.”

Iovara’s vessel thrummed with warmth. “I want you to be happy, Sephele. If you’ve changed-”

I interrupted “No, no, I love you! I just- There are so many beautiful women in the world, and I don’t- I think it would be a waste to limit the both of us to just one!”

I felt Iovara’s soul against mine, as if she was gently examining my shape. “… You love so easily, and so intensely. You find navigating a tangled web of relationships preferable to making a choice.”

I felt myself flush. “We’ve learned by now that I’m not the best with choices.”

Iovara said “You judge so much of yourself from a single incident. A significant one, perhaps, but the Wheel has reforged you many times since then.”

I held her vessel closer. “I… maybe. But I’ve been making a lot of choices lately. I’m a little tired of it, to be honest.”

I could feel Iovara smile. “Then I will spare you this one. So long as you share.”

I smiled in turn, my heart swelling with light. “With you? I’ll share anything.”

It was while I was recounting to Iovara my adventures on the Dead Floe that I got the idea: Neriscyrlas built a body for herself out of essence, why couldn’t Iovara do the same? I was keenly aware, starting out, that things wouldn’t be quite so simple, but I was willing to do whatever it took to give Iovara her body back.

I built a team to help me with my work; Galvino, Kana, Ydwin, and Yngfirth. Between us, we had no shortage of expertise on nearly every form of arcana and metaphysics (and no shortage of snarky commentary, thanks to Modwyr). Nonetheless, numerous failures tested my resolve, to say nothing of that of my followers. But while trial #4 ripped itself apart in a tide of arcane energy, we’d solved many of the fundamental problems by trial #5.

So it was with hope that we built trial #6. Our creation resembled a stylised skeleton, forged from durgan steel and inlaid with arcane runes and copper wiring. In the ‘ribcage’ was a slot for the copper and adra vessel I’d created for Iovara’s soul. Everyone was gathered to watch as I carefully inserted the vessel into the rest of the device. I took a step back, and watched with bated breath as essence built around it. It materialised, solidified, and resolved into Iovara’s body.

My heart raced as she slowly sat up, stretching her limbs. She examined herself for a moment, then slowly got off of the workbench, standing. She worked her mouth a little, before saying “How do I look?”

I couldn’t hold myself back anymore. I threw myself around her, holding her tight. For the first time in two thousand years, I could feel her warmth, her soft skin, her holding me in turn. I teared up. “Iovara… I love you so much…”

She kissed me on the cheek. “I’ve fantasised about this ever since I died. Our reunion. You’re a genius, Sephele.”

I managed to pull myself away from her, before turning and hugging Ydwin. “Thank you! Thank you so much!”

Ydwin was slightly taken aback, but flattered. “I- you’re very welcome, Watcher.”

I quickly turned to hug Kana as well. “Thank you! All of you! I couldn’t have done this without you!”

Kana laughed heartily. “Not a problem at all, my friend! It was an honour.”

I turned to extend the gesture to Yngfirth, who stepped back. “I’m quite alright, Watcher.” I resorted to using our native ordhjoma, I knew more words in it than aedyran or vailian with which to thank her.

Saving Eora took one over its whole breadth, and while the voyage to Rauatai was long, I didn’t complain when my mission to rebuild the Wheel took me there to ask for the Ranga Nui’s aid. Before I returned to the Deadfire, I made sure to take Maia and Kana to a particular little coastal town.

After searching the winding streets, I found a small store that sold spices. I walked in, and started browsing the shelves. I never cared much for spices, Wending food was generally quite light on them. But I was in this store for another reason. Soon enough, the tall aumaua man that owned the store approached Iovara, who was standing beside me. After he greeted me her Rauataian, she turned to me. I explained to her “Rauatian, a language I don’t know.” I then turned to the man, and quickly listed three of the four languages I knew (I couldn’t exactly expect him to know engwithan).

He eventually repeated in vailian “Can I help either of you?”

My vailian was a little halting, but it would get the job done. “We’re looking for Maneha.”

The look on his face told me I had found the place I was looking for. “She’s out picking up something, but she should be back any minute now.”

I nodded respectfully. “Agracima.”

After translating the conversation for Iovara, I resumed browsing the store while I waited. I ended up examining almost every vial of spice there, and concluded it had been more than a few minutes since Maneha should have arrived. Frowning, I left the store. Then I saw Maneha. She was outside, chatting with Maia. Each was leaning on the wall, and seemed intently focused on the other. Maneha fixed Maia with a flirtatious grin. “Always loved a woman in uniform.”

I couldn’t see Maia’s expression from where I was standing, but I could hear the smirk in her voice. “Doesn’t look like you’ve ever worn one.”

Maneha leaned closer. “Well, a uniform’s best on my bedroom floor.”

It was at this point I decided to make my presence known. “Maneha! I see you’ve met Maia.”

Maneha’s eyebrows shot up. “Alteia! What are you doing here?”

I stepped closer. “Convincing the Ranga Nui to be more… cooperative with my efforts to rebuild the Wheel.”

Maneha whistled. “Shit, it really is busted, isn’t it?”

I tried not to dwell on the subject. “A lot of people are working on it. Anyway, I figured since I was up here anyway, I’d visit.”

Maneha’s gaze drifted as she counted years. “It’s been, what, 7, 8 years?” She then looked back at Maia. “So you’re Maia. Your Kana’s sister, right?”

Maia nodded. “And you’re Maneha. Kana talked a lot about you. You seem to have made an impression.”

Maneha flexed her massive muscles. “I make an impression on a lot of people. Just ask Alteia.”

I flushed, remembering the nights we spent together.

That night, Maia, Iovara, Kana, and I accepted Maneha’s invitation to a local bar. It was a good night; all of us had much to talk about. Much of it was her, Kana, and I recalling the old days in the White March and the Dyrwood. Maneha was also happy to meet Iovara, the woman who had stood against the gods, and Maia, who had a surprising amount in common with the retired mercenary.

As the night wore on, Maneha’s expression got increasingly suggestive. Finally, she said “You know, Maia, if you want to save a few pands on accommodation, my bed has room.”

Maia thought about the matter for a second. “The beds here probably have bedbugs, anyway. But I certainly would like Alteia’s company.”

As the pair glanced at me, my crest flared with emotion. “Well that’s- that’s certainly tempting. But Iovara and I, well, we do a lot of things together…” I turned to my ancient lover, switching to engwithan. “Can we? Please?”

Iovara raised her eyebrows, examining the two aumaua women. “Well… I do believe in new experiences.”

Some time later, I translated an entire engwithan text for Kana, as something of an apology for leaving him alone in the bar while us women had an enjoyable night.