Chapter 25: Unara and Karya

Thankfully, the trip from Ratev to Baetnal was uneventful. I spent much of my time with Seyari and Nelys. Aretan split his time as best he could between his mercenaries and us, though the evenings saw both cliques meld together.

I even got to meet some of the more skittish folk from Florian’s group, although we hardly did more than exchange pleasantries. I found the mercenaries to be significantly worse at liar’s dice and Turquoiser poker than the crew of the Lady of Liseu had been. I wondered this to Nelys who cheerfully informed me it was because they were worse at cheating. I don’t know what to make of the diminutive ex-pirate most all the time, honestly. At least now I could say I won often enough to lose my coppers slowly.

Seyari’s mood had improved. We sat closer, talked more often, and I could tell she was making an attempt to let herself have a friendship that we both wanted. And maybe more. Someday, perhaps.

I learned from Aretan about what had stung me. A titan scorpion, that monstrosity was called. Their venom was magical in nature, which was why it had affected me the way it did. My face had paled when he described how nothing was known to survive its sting. I was happy there had been a similar scorpion and a chirurgeon with magical training.

The Navanaean man told me a great deal about The Eight. Navanaean Gods were something I had been completely unfamiliar with. That they did not treat demons and angels the same as the Church of Dhias gave me hope for my future. Though my kind (still felt odd to say such a thing) were still seen as evil based on their actions.

This wasn’t something I intended to dispute, but I wondered about whether I’d meet other demons like myself. Perhaps if I did, I’d soften my stance. Either way, I wanted to be judged for who I was rather than what I was. Seyari should be given a similar courtesy; judged on who she is now rather than who she was in the past.

Navanea’s Eight didn’t seem to mind I was a demon, at least. I thanked Aena for her old temple providing what I needed to recover. I wasn’t sure I’d follow her closely, but the fact Aretan assured me I wouldn’t be rejected outright made a convincing case. The prayer ritual itself was uncomplicated and largely unstructured, much to my relief.

Amongst all the pleasantries, spear practice continued unabated. Somewhere along the line, Seyari gave me a shield to use as well. In reality, it was the top of a damaged barrel and a cut of old rope. I used it with my lower right arm, spear in the upper left. A left-handed demon was an irony not lost on me, but I’d been that way before as well. My parents had decided not to try to ‘correct’ my handedness. I still missed them dearly.

Still, I’d press onward with my new life. I would find Tania and get closure. Revenge was secondary.

When we finally sighted the city of Baetnal from a small rise, I was more than ready for a night in a nice bed. The city itself was the kind of sprawling mass where stylistic and architectural cohesion was lost in favor of an almost organic sense of the progression of time. A city, largely, of its people. The land here was firmer and rockier; elevated slightly from the desert. From shrubs and small trees scattered about, the region was also evidently wetter.

The Nav River curved through the city; banks hemmed in by sloped fitted stone. The depth showed the extent to which it would swell in late winter. Even this far inland, boats of all sizes clogged its surface. Beyond the city cultivated fields huddled against the river to the horizon.

Towering above this scene, rose a kaleidoscope of color. On a plateau sat the Grand Palace of Navanaea. I’d been told of the ancient fortress by Aretan, but no description could do justice to the artistry displayed. The palace seemed to float, nearly disconnected from the city below it. Just visible over the rear walls, towering trees of green spoke of grand gardens, immense domes, and tall towers with stunning views.

Despite the beauty, I couldn’t help but think of how it clashed with the heap of city below, where bright Navanaean colors mixed together in an incoherent statement of the common person. The palace seemed to lord over the surroundings and stand distinct from them, as if a separate world. I doubted the symbolism was unintentional.

Around me, Nelys looked with awe, Seyari a clouded expression, and for many of the mercenary company, the weary elation of returning home. I subconsciously wondered if all the cities I visited would somehow lead me to vistas like this.

When we moved closer, the buzz of activity from the busy capital became obvious. An outer wall was being constructed around Baetnal, and not a small one. The city had long ago expanded past the old walls, and from what Aretan had said, open war with the Desertkin was all but a reality. I’d never met any of the insectoid humanoids myself, but after the last few years as myself, I doubted I’d react with open hostility.

Just inside, a modern-looking military compound was filled with soldiers drilling in orderly lines. Many were using polearms and shields, which gave me hope that I might be able to find some instruction. Florian had business in the city, and that meant a few days of rest and exploration. Certainly not enough to learn a new weapon, but hopefully enough for a few points of guidance and enough to make a decision.

Guards checked over all our documents. Aretan had signed us on as part of his company, but we were still stopped. After an hour-long delay that deeply frustrated Florian, a military mage was brought to check my binding and my aura.

I tried to keep my posture as neutral as possible. After all, despite the fact I wasn’t really bound by my contract, I technically had the sigil and collar and the magic binding in place. The mage’s gaze lingered heavily at the symbol on my chest. Eventually, however, she turned her gaze back to Seyari.

“Your contract, please,” she spoke in fluent Turquoiser.

“What?” Seyari asked.

“Your contract. License, application, approval. You do have that, yes?”

“Is it not clear she’s bound properly?” Seyari’s tone was sharp.

“Indeed. But that one is powerful and it surely was approved by the crown, yes?”

“We’re foreign. I don’t know what approval you want,” Seyari seemed to look for a way out, while Aretan’s expression had gone hard.

I wanted desperately to speak up, but that would only make things worse. I especially wanted to proclaim that I was not an ‘it’.

“Understood,” the mage turned to Aretan and Florian, “The rest of you may enter Baetnal. The demon and its summoner must stay outside.”

Seyari looked ready to argue, but Aretan spoke first, “Are you certain they cannot enter?”

“Yes. Now hurry along, you have held up inspections far too long already.”

Because you took your sweet time coming over here. I thought to myself. That she’d come from the nearby military complex was obvious to everyone present.

Surprising all of us, Florian spoke up, “I can attest to their integrity, if that’s what this is about. Those two are the reason the caravan made it at all, what with how unsafe the road was.”

“Matters of war demand a reduction of patrols for lesser routes. I will not make an exception, especially for a foreigner.” The mage’s rising voice brokered no compromise.

More than my nice bath was slipping away. If we couldn’t get into the city, we’d be stuck out here with no shelter at the very least. We’d also need to meet with the others as they left and I could tell from the look we were getting that staying close to the new walls wouldn’t be easy.

“Captain Anva! Are you giving these two a hard time?” A voice I absolutely did not expect came out of the crowd.

Prince Malich strode forward, clad in a very cleanly trimmed white shirt and a pair of matching trousers. Flanking him were professional looking guards in full armor. At his side strode another demon covered almost entirely in plain gray robes.

They were androgynous in both physique and presentation. Humanoid with dull grey skin, they nevertheless had a face that struck me as uncanny. Something about their overlarge solid black eyes, too-small nose, and wide mouth. They had no hair, but their head was dotted with many small horns. Their robe obscured any other physical details from my sight. What I could see, however, was the thick collar and intricate rune on their left cheek.

The mage, Captain Anva apparently, bowed lightly, but her expression remained stern.

“These two foreigners are dangerous, my Prince. They do not have their contract.”

“Oh? I suspected as much.” Prince Malich’s smile was overly sweet. “I’ve verified their contract myself. That they lack identification is no doubt the fault of my assistants.”

“Do you have a copy of the contract with you?” Captain Anva’s resolution wavered.

“I’m afraid not. You see, I just arrived in town by boat the other day and I did not think to double check the work of my subordinates.” Malich shot an angry glare at his entourage.

The guards wilted, but the demon grew a too-broad smile.

“Do you suggest I let them into Baetnal, my Prince?” Anva asked.

“Is your head full of sand? Yes! In fact, they are due at my estate this evening.” The third prince glanced our way as if daring us to refute his claim.

Thankfully, Anva didn’t ask our opinion on the matter. I doubted I could agree with a straight face and from the rather intense look Seyari had, I didn’t think it would have gone well.

“As you wish,” Anva acquiesced. “I will record that these individuals were allowed entry by royal exemption.”

Prince Malich took a moment to reply. “Very well. Now, if you two would follow me.”

The third prince looked expectantly at us, like the cat who caught the mouse.

Seyari’s look shifted and she replied with an exaggerated bow, “Of course, your majesty. Unfortunately, we have business with the caravan to sort our payment and retrieve our goods. What time are we expected tonight?”

Prince Malich looked like he’d bitten a lemon. I recalled he had said ‘this evening’. Good one Seyari, I thought.

“I am certain that may be taken care of while you are at the estate. You must be quite tired from your long journey, after all.” The prince managed to hold his expression neutral, but his eyes burned.

“Your majesty, I must apologize, but I have yet to finalize their payment and will need the two of them present to identify their goods and ensure our books are balanced before we change wagons,” Florian interjected.

I hadn’t expected him to intervene, and from the sweat across his brow I don’t think Florian himself expected what he said.

“Acceptable,” Prince Malich said through gritted teeth. “Of course, as my personal guests, I insist that my guards accompany you. It would not do to have your pedigree questioned by incompetents.” He glared at Anva who returned the expression before stalking off back toward the garrison.

“Your majesty, we—“ Seyari started, but Malich cut her off.

“Dinner is at sundown. I expect you’ll arrive an hour before as agreed, yes?” His regal tone broke partway through the sentence.

A small crowd, mostly of workers from the wall, had formed by this point. Seyari looked to me and I gave an unsure look back at her.

“As you are aware, we are more than capable ourselves,” Seyari retorted hotly.

Aretan quickly stepped in, “I can assure you, my Prince, that my mercenary company will ensure their safety until this evening. You need not waste your resources on us.”

Prince Malich’s composure broke. “Fine. One hour before sundown. Do not even think of making me wait.”

The Third Prince glared at us, before turning on his heel and walking away. The demon’s gaze remained fixed on me as they retreated, looking over my shoulder. I noticed they never blinked. I shivered involuntarily. I hated to judge, but I did not like them.

Returning from wherever they had retreated to, the guards we had first seen gave Florian and Aretan their papers back in a hurry before moving toward the next group in line. We walked into Baetnal surrounded by stares and whispers. So much for a relaxing time in the city.

***

“What was up with him?” I asked Seyari once we got to the caravansary. “It’s clear he’s planning something, but I thought he’d fly off the handle sooner.”

We were both helping to unload wagons. Around us, horses were being taken to stables for a well-deserved rest. Road conditions had not been favorable for them.

“He thinks he’s winning.” Seyari set a crate down with a grunt.

“What do you mean?”

“Bullshit power games. I’ve seen his type. He didn’t know what to do the first time we met and I threw his offer in his face.” She looked up at me. “Now he thinks he knows how to play us.”

“We at least made him a little mad, so that’s good, right?”

“Good as in things aren’t going just as the fucker wanted them to, yeah.”

I tilted my head. “How do we get out of this?”

“Easy,” Seyari replied matter-of-factly. “We don’t go. We’ll need to get away from the caravan and stay somewhere in a part of town where it’ll be hard to look for us.”

“I don’t think he’ll have trouble finding me.” I bit my lip with a fang nervously.

“Then use your glamour. It sucks, but we need to hide.”

“What about you?” I pointed to Seyari’s face. “You stick out like a pale thumb around here.”

“I have a cosmetic kit for disguises. I can make something work easily. I’ll also cover up that sigil on your cheek since I doubt it disappears in your glamour.”

“Why not just end the contract?”

“Because if we do get caught, then we’d be totally fucked.”

“Okay, good point.” I idly tapped a claw against a horn, “What about meeting up with the others?”

Seyari sighed. “That’s not going to be easy. They’ll be watched for sure.”

“So what then? Leave the city one way, circle around a few kilometers out, and then meet up on the way to Liseu?”

“Probably.” Seyari paused in the middle of lifting a box. “Ah, fuck.”

“What?” I grabbed four small crates from next to her.

“They might watch the road and all the checkpoints out. We’ll have to work something out with Aretan. I need to find out how much power that slimeball can swing around.”

We stayed mostly silent after that while we finished unloading. After, we met up with Aretan and talked about our options. According to the merc captain, Florian wasn’t going to be a part of any further plans. He wanted plausible deniability and while he didn’t like the prince, as a foreign merchant, he couldn’t risk an incident that would impact more than just his profit for the trip.

Understandable, but frustratingly limited. In the end, we settled on disguises until we left and Aretan helped us pick an area in a poorer part of the city to stay. Full of migrants and hard-up travelers, its people were less likely to ask questions.

When we decided to leave, the gates would be the riskiest. We’d break the contract and hope the disguises would be enough. The Prince should have no way of knowing I could glamour myself and we doubted he’d think we’d end the contract.

In fact, at Seyari’s urging, we refrained from explaining my glamour to Aretan and instead just told him we had a solution that would disguise me thoroughly. I objected to this, but Aretan himself declined hearing any further ‘details’ since it was safest if he knew as little as possible.

The last, and perhaps biggest, issue was Nelys. They wanted to go with us and we didn’t want to say ‘no’, but they were also an unknown to the Prince. Aretan offered to keep them with his company, but Nelys put their foot down on staying with us. They insisted their presence would help mask us by adding a third person when it would be a group of two being looked for.

Eventually, we gave in and agreed to let them come with us.

We knew the Third Prince would send someone to watch us if he hadn’t already. Seyari decided we needed to get as much of a head start as we could, so Aretan helped us find an unused room in the caravansary to get our disguises set up.

With some amount of trepidation, I pulled on my magical reserves and forced the glamour over myself. Seyari sat to one side with a rather extensive mummer’s kit open on a crate. How all of the powders, markers, and creams fit into the bag she’d unwrapped was a mystery to me.

“Wow!” Nelys looked at me with wide eyes. “I wish I could do something like that!”

“I wish I didn’t hate it.” I looked down at them, and at my newly pale skin. “What would your glamour be anyway?”

Nelys had always struck me as comfortable with themselves, but now they looked at me with a strange intensity.

They clutched at their coral pendant under their shirt. “Uh, well, something strong!”

They forced a smile up at me. It seems I’d hit a nerve, so I decided not to pry and changed the subject instead. “Do I still have the sigil on my cheek?”

“Yeah.”

Seyari spoke up from where she was applying a heavy compound to her face. “I can cover that up easily. You’ll need to be careful not to scratch at it.”

“Okay,” I answered. “Do we need to do anything else for me?”

“Not much I can do,” Seyari replied and turned to me with a half-altered face. “You’re too damn big so you’ll stand out no matter what. Not many women walking around who are over two meters tall. I can put something in to color your eyes at least.”

I surprised myself by wanting to reject that idea out of hand. My blue eyes were the only part of the old me I had, and the only part I’d liked. I paused long enough for the question to hang a moment before agreeing.

Seyari nodded. “Good. They’ll end up dark brown, probably.”

“Oh! What about me!” Nelys interjected, their earlier melancholy all but forgotten.

Seyari looked them over. “Dark hair’s hard to dye, but I can brighten it up a little bit. Do you mind getting a haircut?”

“Aw, I can’t have bright hair like yours?”

The blond woman shook her head. “It’d damage your hair too much. The color probably wouldn’t look right, either.”

“Aww. Okay.”

We spent a while getting everything in place. By the end, my tattoo was covered and I’d gotten some scarf-like garment ‘borrowed’ from the room to cover my collar. I also lost my beloved eye color for a greenish-brown. When she checked my makeup, the fact that Seyari, who was rather tall, didn’t quite reach my shoulders was painfully obvious. I’d gotten used to my height, so I’d forgotten how outlandish it was. Thankfully, I doubted most people’s first assumption would be ‘demon in disguise’.

After we were finished, Seyari looked a completely different person. Her eyes had been tinted brown, though they still had a silvery sheen. Her hair was black and the braids had been undone into a single long, straight ponytail with long bangs framing the sides of her face. Her face itself had a slightly different shape. I had to take a moment to associate Seyari with her new face. She’d definitely done this before.

Nelys’ curly mop had been trimmed down to a boyish cut and lightened slightly to a deep brown. Seyari hadn’t done anything to alter their face.

On top of this, we’d managed to decide on aliases for the duration. Seyari became Unara, I took on the name Karya, and Nelys managed to somehow convince us to let them have Sylen.

With rudimentary directions to the part of town we’d hide out in, the three of us left through a secondary exit onto a crowded street. I didn’t think I’d ever stop appreciating the view my height afforded, as I could see clearly down the entire avenue. At the moment, however, and at Seyari’s instruction, I did my best to look relaxed and confident as we walked down increasingly narrow streets into the depths of Baetnal.