Chapter 184: Flying by Zarenna

I went looking for Paladin Warren first, reasoning both that he’d be up earlier, and that I’d have more difficulty finding him. On the first count, I was right.

On the second count…

Shyll told me where to find him, unprompted, before I’d even had a chance to ask anyone else. Apparently the lust demon disguised as a lupael had been acting as a personal maid for the Paladin—and observing him. In the process of said observations, I came to know a fair bit more than I needed to about his restless night and repeated prayers.

Shyll’s absolutely telling Lilly about what Seyari and I get up to. I made a mental note to tell Seyari to step up the wards around our room, but I had a feeling she’d done that the moment she found out about Lilly’s agent anyway.

I knocked on the door to the small, cold room Paladin Gareth Warren was staying in, and I got an immediate flurry of motion from the other side.

“You don’t need to rush, but we are leaving soon,” I said carefully, hand still hovering over the door. Obviously, I wasn’t going to give away what I’d heard. I also wasn’t keen to shout requests or plans through the door.

Said door opened a few seconds later, and the paladin—in his underpadding, unshaven, and with tired-looking eyes—opened the door. “Marchioness Miller, I’ll be ready in just a few minutes, but you can come in if you want.”

I nodded and stepped through the door, closing it behind my tail. The place was spartan as I’d expected—probably a storage room at some point. It had a cot and little else.

“I wanted to thank you for your help—and for giving me a chance,” I said, opting to stand rather than sit on the cot. “Would you like help getting into your armor?”

Paladin Warren looked to the armor stacked neatly in the corner and back to me. “Do you know how?”

“My sister showed me a few times, and I have more than enough hands to hold things.”

His brow rose and he studied me for a long moment. I wasn’t sure what to say, so I just stared right back, tilting my head a little to the side. For a moment, I thought he was going to ask me about my sister, but instead he walked over to his armor and picked up the first piece, gesturing for me to join.

We went through the process, talking about treating the injured and the aftermath of the attack, and it wasn’t until he’d clipped his helm to his hip that I asked the most important question.

“I assume I’m taking you to Norgath to report back in, but what are you going to say in your report?”

He looked up at me, a bit of a spark in his tired eyes. “You are—there’s a secluded area you can land in so you’re not spotted. As for the report? I’m telling the truth. It’s obvious Duke Reynard was trying to out you as a demon, and the timing of the attack and of the duchess’s poisoning is suspicious. I’m willing to bet he’s involved with both of the latter two in some capacity. Plus, there’s the situation with acolyte Kord. I’m not sure if he helped us or hindered us by what he knew versus what he hid—although the fact he vouched for you factors into me trusting you.

“For all I know, you could have arranged that—except you don’t seem to be the type. Even to your own detriment, in fact. And that’s something I’ve never seen or heard tale of a demon doing.

“In short, Marchioness Miller, I’m confused, tired, and I’ve spent the last day facing down a crisis of faith.”

I nodded. All I could really do was nod. “I understand that—at least somewhat. I think I’ve said as much, but I’ve nothing against Dhias, and I’m open to working with the Church should certain reforms be made.”

He took a step toward the door. “So you’re fine with me telling them everything in the report?”

“I assume it’s to the Church and not the nobility?”

“It is.”

“Then yes. They know what I am already.”

“I… see.” Paladin Warren hissed out a long breath. “I’m going to do some stretches in the courtyard and run through some practice forms. Something to get me limber and clear my head. I’m not looking forward to being in this armor while being carried all day.” He opened the door and stepped out.

I followed, turning the other direction in the hall outside. “I’ll find you there when it’s time to leave.”

Paladin Warren waved tiredly over his shoulder at me, and I jogged off to talk to the duchess. When I got there, I could hear slow breathing from inside, so I sat down outside the door and waited until she roused.

Thankfully, I wasn’t waiting long, and when I knocked, the answer was immediate.

“It’s early for breakfast.”

“It’s me, Duchess Kapel.”

Silence.

“I can get you breakfast, though.”

More silence.

“I’ll be right back, then.”

Suit yourself. Knowing what she was going through, I wasn’t about to push the woman—especially ahead of asking her for aid in winter when her duchy was still feeling acutely the pain of the civil war.

I found Nelys and Taava in the castle’s kitchen, along with Brynna and Razz. The latter two surprised me, but the conversation I overheard as I reached the door explained why.

“She doesn’t have to eat souls or anything?” Razz asked.

“Of course not!” Nelys responded.

“Not unless she wants a snack!” Taava butted in.

I heard Brynna whine and I opened the door. Immediately, all eyes went to me as I ducked inside, barely scraping my horns on the doorframe. Nelys and Taava were on one side of a large table, the former holding a knife over some cut smoked sausages while the latter looked like she’d probably been sneaking pieces, if how closely she hovered was any indication.

Brynna and her older sister were dressed for the cold, and the contracted lupael had a small scarf wrapped between her horns. From Razz I sensed anger, although Nelys had a small flash of it as well from Taava’s joke.

“Oh, heya Boss!” Taava said hastily.

I glowered. “Eating souls for snacks, huh?”

Taava laughed nervously. “What? It was just a joke!”

Nelys shook their head. “It wasn’t funny, Taava.”

The kazzel tsked and turned to walk out. “Well I told ya what I know anyway—I’ve got people ta go watch.”

I glared, but let her go, then turned to Brynna and her sister. “I’ve been meaning to find you two anyway.” I walked the rest of the way inside and took a plate from an open cupboard. “How’re you feeling, Brynna? Nelys?”

“I’m okay,” Nelys said. “It’s just been a lot lately.”

I sensed there was a little more to what they were saying, but their smile was genuine, so I didn’t pry.

“…Fine, I guess,” she responded after a delay.

“I’m not going to make you talk if you don’t want to.” After an approving nod from Nelys, I started carefully stacking pieces of meat and cheese on a plate, eyeing opened jars of pickled vegetables.

Brynna took another long time to respond, and I caught her sister glaring at me. “I’m just… the connection’s weird, being in the same room and all that.”

Razz decided to be a little more blunt. “Zarenna, what did you do to my sister?”

“Razz!” Brynna objected. “She saved me!”

“Yeah, I know, but—”

“It’s fine.” I made sure my hands were clean with some heat before deftly spearing a few pickled beet slices with a single claw and plating them. “I’m sorry, Razz.” I ended the statement by inclining my head forward.

“Renna!” Brynna protested, ears going flat against her head. “Don’t be sorry! I’ll get used to it—and I’d rather this than be dead.”

“Don’t imply that I wouldn’t!” Razz snapped, then deflated. “I just… I don’t know. I’m mad that I wasn’t there—that this had to happen.” She leaned over the table and snatched a piece of sausage. “I feel like I want to thank you and punch you at the same time.”

“If it makes you feel better, I agree with you.” I finished plating and lifted the duchess’s soon-to-be-breakfast carefully with my lower hands. “Although I’d do the same thing to save her again.”

“She is her, right? No turning into a demon later or crazy mood swings?”

“Nope!” Nelys answered for me. “I don’t get any of that. Joisse had a similar situation, and it helped her with some issues, too.”

I saw Brynna relax and I winced. I wished I could’ve been there for her more after the battle. “My offer to end the contract isn’t going anywhere, even if it won’t change you back.”

She shook her head. “I’m stronger now, and I’ll take being able to protect Sis and Keran even if I have to live with horns making my head cold.”

Razz blinked, then quickly turned to face her sister. “Is that why you’re covering them up?”

“Mostly.”

“You didn’t bring this up earlier?” I asked.

Brynna shook her head. “She dragged me here at first light, but you were busy.”

Now it was Razz’s turn to whine, but I felt her anger evaporating. “If that’s it, I’m knitting you something to keep them warm!”

At that, Brynna smiled wide, showing slightly-too-long canines. “Thanks, Sis.”

Razz wrapped her up in a hug. “That’s what big sisters do! I think there’s even some yarn leftover from the tail-sock I made for Keran until his fur grows back in.

At the image of the tough-acting guy wearing a knitted covering on his tail, I giggled, unable to stifle it. “I’m glad I got to see you all before I headed out—and I’ll be back by tomorrow around noon, so don’t worry.”

“Taking the duchess home?” Nelys asked.

“Yeah.”

“The duchess?” Razz asked.

Oh, right. “Uh, it’s a long story. I’ll tell you when I get back.”

“Is she who the breakfast’s for?” Nelys asked.

“Yeah, how’d you guess?”

“It’s a small plate and I didn’t think you liked pickled beets.”

I looked down at the plate I’d assembled. “I don’t hate them. But you’re right, it is. I’m hoping I can make her feel a little better, but I’m probably already saying too much. Stay safe, and I’ll see you all soon.” I ducked out of the door quickly, not wanting to stick around and need to explain more.

When I got back to the duchess’s room, she was ready to receive me. Duchess Arina Kapel was wearing the same russet dress she’d worn on the night of the Winter Solstice Ball, although it’d been cleaned. Makeup couldn’t hide the redness around her eyes, and I sensed a dull, throbbing sort of anger.

I offered her the plate, and she told me to set it down inside. I tried to make small talk while she picked at it, but she said hardly more than a few words. By the time we had to go, I hadn’t been able to bring up aid again, and I also ended up eating most of the plate of food—even the beets.

We found Paladin Warren in the courtyard easily enough, and he joined us with a nod. The next few moments were incredibly awkward as I picked both of them up and got them situated.

“Are you both ready?” I adjusted my arms a little to try to make sure the paladin and duchess were held properly. Around me, the chill morning wind buffeted the shield of hot air I’d made around us.

Duchess Kapel glared at me through the small gap in her face covering—her horns were hidden under a mismatched hat. “Do not drag this out… Please.”

Under her, Paladin Warren shifted. “I’ll live.”

I beamed, and brought out my wings. “Great!” With a thought, the magic powering them pulsed, and we shot up into the sky, up and out of the snow-covered courtyard.

Even conscious as I was to limit my speed for the humans’ sake, the castle still seemed to disappear all-too quickly. Per our plan, I was to deposit Paladin Warren in Norgath, and take Duchess Kapel all the way to Gedon.

Due to a need for all four of my arms, I’d be dropping the paladin off in a forest outside the city. The duchess, at least, I could fly directly to her destination. Namely her estate just outside the city.

All this and a trip to Linthel to both get a message to the king and pick up Seyari’s book that I’d left in my Gelles Company storage box had to be done in one day. Or close to, anyway. Whatever information leaks we had, we hadn’t found the source yet.

More than that, Nadya needed a replacement and I needed to do my job. A grunt from the duchess let me know I’d tightened my grip a little too much while thinking, so I loosened my arms.

I dared to glance down and the look the duchess was giving me sent a chill down my spine. Grimacing, I mouthed I’m sorry and looked back to where I was flying with burning cheeks. The hardest part would be staying on course toward Norgath.

When I’d left by air, I’d had both the stars and roads to guide me. Plus, although I’d not learned much from my long-ago time on the Lady of Liseu, I’d learned to at least be able to use the moon and a few stars to tell “south-ish.”

Now though, the sun was shining and the roads away from major towns were both covered by snow and very far away. I’d rather fly high than cause a panic, and it meant I was really hoping the paladin’s half-remembered land directions to a place he wasn’t a native of would work from hundreds of meters up in the sky.

Unfortunately, we got at least somewhat lost, and the sun was past its zenith in the sky by the time I touched down in a small clearing within a larger forest outside Norgath. I set both of my charges down and stretched. The duchess stumbled, but Paladin Warren caught her.

“You two,” she started, straightening out her dress. “Never speak of this.”

Paladin Warren checked himself over, wincing as he moved his arms inside his armor. “Of course, Duchess.” He bowed, and turned to walk away, stopping after just one step. “Thank you, Zarenna Miller. I’ll be giving an honest report as per your wishes, and I will refrain from mentioning that you are a demon to anyone outside the Church.”

I stared at his back, a big smile growing. “You’re welcome, Gareth Warren. And thank you for giving me a chance.”

The paladin looked over his shoulder and I saw a hint of a smile as he nodded. Then he checked the sun in the sky, walked off into the dense forest, and was gone.

“Well?” Duchess Kapel asked. Her voice lacked a little of its usual punch, or so I thought.

“Sorry—I just… he…” I sighed, took a breath, wiped my damp eyes, and tried again. This time I looked at the duchess instead of the trees. “Not a lot of people give me a chance, fewer still in the church, and even fewer who have the preconceptions Paladin Warren had.” I smiled wider, uncaring at how the duchess flinched, and took another deep breath of the crisp, slightly-warmed winter air. “Maybe I really can work with the Church of Dhias and stay a part of society.”

Duchess Kapel started to say something, but she shook her head and slumped her shoulders, before changing tone. “We should get going to Gedon. I’ve much to puzzle through, and I do not want to bear the indignity of being carried like a maiden for any longer.”

I shifted back to my human form, fixed my clothes, and offered her a hand. She took it, and I pulled her into my usual carry before jumping up and out of the clearing. For a moment, I hung over the forest, watching Norgath in the distance and thinking about that night.

“Your smile is disconcerting.”

“Hmm?”

“You’ll scare people by smiling more than you’ll put them at ease.”

“I know.”

The duchess’s brow furrowed, and I laughed as we gained speed and altitude, heading for Gedon.

Like with the trip to Norgath, we spent some of the time lost, this time looking for either a river or a road. Soon enough, however, we found the right road and flew above it, lower this time but not by much. From up here, the tiny ribbon, in places covered over by snow, looked so insignificant as it wound over hills and through valleys.

So recently I’d been a traveler on that road, and it had seemed a huge obstacle, another leg in a yearlong journey. Any nostalgia I felt for Myrna and Phol was sweetened by the reminder of how far I’d come. As I was now, Korzon Island could well be a place for a quick vacation—for a durian if for no other reason. Though I would have to find the place first…

When Gedon finally came into sight, it was under the reddish hue of a soon-to-set sun. Getting lost and staying slow enough to keep a human safe was slow. But after all I’d thought about on the flight today, I wasn’t about to disparage the fact that I could fly across a nation in a day.

The duchess shifted, and I loosened my hold a little—carefully—slowing down just to be safe.

Duchess Kapel pointed at a wooded patch up a small hill from the city—on the Edathan side. “There. Set us down in the front garden. I’ll take things from there.”

“Alright.”

“About your aid request…”

I perked up.

“If you have the time to stay for an hour or two, I’d like to see what the Duchy of Gedon may be able to provide the March of Astrye.”

“Of course!” I wanted to jump for joy, or do a loop in the air.

But, I didn’t, and instead I brought us down toward the estate at a calm, measured pace.