Chapter 233: Ounce of Goodwill

“You did what?” Brazz’s voice sliced through the small room’s silence.

“I… did what I felt I needed to,” I answered demurely, glancing out the window at the snow-coated town square. It was already evening, so short the days were still.

For all my demonic posturing, I couldn’t exactly bluster myself in front of a disappointed friend. But instead of slamming her fist on the table, the lupael mayor of Astrye sat down heavily in her chair and leaned back, ears drooping as she stared at the ceiling.

“I probably would’ve done the same in your place, t’be honest.” She heaved a sigh. “Fuuuuuuuck. Buncha primped up bastard blowhards. It’s not like the King of Edath ever did a damn thing for us out here. Crown land my ass.”

“Sis, what if we do what Renna did?” Brynna asked. I couldn’t help but notice she’d taken quite the shine to her horns, if the way they shone in the candlelight was any indication.

“Oh you should,” Seyari added. “Besides, I don’t know if the big lug even knows how to move her demesne.”

“You can move demesnes?” I asked, ignoring the lug comment.

Sey side-eyed me and shrugged. “I dunno. Shyll, has your mom ever moved her demesne? Quiraxa’s told me Utraxia’s kept it in the south for a millennia, so I assume she’s moved at some point.”

I looked around the table to the last two members of our little assembly. Shyll was sitting next to an icy-faced Kartania, making cutesy shapes behind my sister’s head with her tail.

She yanked it back as soon as her name was called, and my sister whipped around just too late to see it. Under Tania’s withering glare, Shyll nodded. “It’s definitely possible. She wasn’t always out in the desert. Right around when I was born, she was somewhere with actual people. And plants.”

Wait, I remember Lilly mentioned that! “Wait, Shyll, how old are you?”

Brazz cut me off with a wave. “Let’s keep on topic. Brynna, you mentioned doing what Renna did. Do you mean telling the king to piss off?”

Her sister huffed. “Just call me ‘sis’ or ‘Rynna,’ Sis.”

Brazz rubbed her temples. “I’m tryin’ to be formal. I’ve got this feeling I’m gonna need to be.” She put her hand down and smiled wickedly. “Because I like that idea. If Renna’s staying here.”

“Why would you want me to stay here? I’ve already brought you so much trouble.”

“Renna,” Sey warned.

Brazz rolled her eyes. “Well there’s two ways I see this going. We’re either gonna be left on our own against a bunch of enemies who want to kill us just for knowing you, or we’re gonna be stuck with a big scary demon-angel power couple who can keep our whole damn town warm and alive. Gee, I wonder what one I’d pick.”

I sank lower into my chair. “I’m so sorry.”

“So you’re gonna run away.”

“No,” I growled.

“Good, then stay here. Keran and I can convince the townsfolk. You may not think it, Renna, but you’ve been a pretty damn good leader.”

“I have?”

“Renna, you have,” Sey admonished with a flick of her wing.

“Yeah, you’ve let us do shit our way and repelled an army,” Brazz agreed.

“...That came here for me.”

“...Yeah, but—”

Kartania slammed a gauntleted fist on the table and Shyll jumped all the way out of her chair. “Would you two just cut it out? Don’t you think the king and the Church want us arguing? Yes, Zarenna’s enemies brought ruin to Astrye. But she saved the town first. I get that I’m not from here, so I shouldn’t speak for the people here, but damnit Sister, this doesn’t change anything except lines on a map!

“We still have the same enemies. We still have the same king who's going to try to use you, and life goes on. What we should be doing right now is figuring out what Envy and Avarice have been up to, what the Church’s next move is going to be, and how we survive all of this.”

I pulled myself up in the chair and Brazz did the same. Shyll even clapped, until Kartania’s other hand came up holding the lust demon’s tail.

“Get your mother down here to teach my sister,” Kartania hissed.

Shyll swallowed and nodded.

“Good.” Kartania released her tail. “I’m going to talk with Gareth and Sonia’s group to see what our options are. I expect you to figure out how to fortify the pass.”

Before she stomped out, I stood up and hugged her. I didn’t bother making the motion human, and she jerked in my grip for just a second.

“Damnit, Renna.”

“Thanks, Tania.” I made sure not to squeeze hard enough to bend metal. “I think we needed that.”

Her scowl melted for just a second. “What you did was foolish. But I believe it was the right choice. No just god would allow what the Church and Berethiel are doing.”

Sey snorted. “Damn right.”

“Or perhaps he can’t stop it,” I replied with a suddenness that shocked me.

“Or perhaps he can’t. If that’s the case, what good is the Church?”

“That’s a question for Sonia and Inva, I believe.”

Seyari sighed, but held her tongue.

Kartania slipped out of the four-armed hug. “Just so. And if you need any more information about our failure of a Church, come find me or Gareth.” She closed the door sharply on her way out.

Shyll popped up after her. “I need to contact Mother; it will take a few days for the message to reach her.”

After she left, it was just me, my wife, Brazz, and Brynna. I sat back down and winced when the chair cracked ominously.

Brazz smirked. “Break it and you’re making the replacement.” She stood with a glint in her eyes. “So now that you’re staying, and you’re no longer the marchioness, we need a plan.”

“Highest priority is finding out what Envy and Avarice are up to,” Sey said. “The next order of business is getting Utraxia to extend protection here with some of her forces.”

“You want to bring more demons into Astrye?” Brazz countered.

“They’re allies.”

“Yes, I’m certain everyone will see them that way.” She raised her hands defensively. “I’m not against it personally, but more demons are going to look like the harbingers of more problems. Why them, why not just you two?”

“We can’t sit here and wait for Envy’s plans or the Church to come knocking,” Seyari answered. “Which means leaving Astrye from time to time.”

“You’re not seriously suggesting we attack the Church?” I asked.

Sey turned and stared at me, a sharp-toothed smile growing across her face. “Not openly, but we can’t just do nothing. Plus, we need to find a way to go after Envy. They hold all the cards as long as we’re waiting.”

“We’ll need more allies, then.” I pulled my tail into my lap. “And information.”

Sey ruffled her wings. “All the more reason to get Utraxia’s help and get Lillith down here.”

“Renna, Seyari,” Brazz interrupted. “All this is going to put more focus on Astrye. We can’t keep getting caught in the blast.”

“I know,” I sighed. “But you just said yourself you want me to stay since Astrye’s already dragged in.”

Brazz slumped. “I don’t know what I want—I’m just trying to keep everyone alive and happy.”

“What if Sey and I move out of the town proper?” I offered. “When I made my demesne, I centered it near the castle; it goes back into the mountains where we fought Berethiel.”

“That won’t stop people from attacking us.”

“It’ll stop some people. I can try to control where the battles are. Maybe I can even figure out how to fortify my demesne like Lillith does.”

“We need to be able to trade,” Brazz replied. “Not necessarily with the north, but the clans out here between us and the frozen wasteland.”

“I’ve no idea what I can and can’t do, but I can promise I’ll try.”

She smiled sadly. “I know. Doesn’t help us right now, though.”

Sey cleared her throat. “Let’s make a list; get this all sorted.”

We pulled out a stack of half-used paper and got to work planning. Keran stopped by and Brazz filled him in. It wasn’t until Sonia arrived that we made the first actual breakthrough.

“If you’re still favored by Dhias, why don’t you show everyone?” she said, like it was the simplest thing in the world. “Even if many of the Church elders are set in their ways, the laypeople aren’t going to be so inclined to denial. I already told you about Priest Herron.

“You’ve got connections, and ways to get attention. Make a show of it—walk into the biggest church in Linthel.”

I tapped at a horn in thought; the biggest church had downsized in the city under King Carvalon, but it still wasn’t small. “I remember, yeah. But… could that work?”

Sonia grabbed my hand and I looked up into her bright eyes. She had the same welcome air her father did and it put me at ease.

“I’m surprised you didn’t think to yourself, Renna. You did just this in Lockmoth, and even before then.”

I furrowed my brow. Why hadn’t I thought of it? Because it won’t work.

Why?

“I think…” I paused to look around the room. Sey and Brazz had looked up from taking notes while Brynna was dozing in her chair.

“I think ya didn’t invite me!” Taava announced as she swept into the room. “You borin’ sods had me waitin’ out there for an entrance so long my tail’s gone stiff.” She walked up and slapped a hand down on my shoulder. “Don’t tell me you’ve gone all cynical.”

“But this is a terrible idea.”

“Yeah, sorta.” She shrugged as Sonia frowned. “But it’s unexpected as all get, damn bold, and a whole lot like the naive hero I decided ta follow around, Boss. ‘Sides, if Dhias really does favor ya, d’ya really think it’s better than lettin’ the Church control the narrative?”

“...I don’t.”

“Exactly!” She spun back around. “Wait, what?”

“What will this accomplish? I’d be tipping my hand to the Church for an ounce of goodwill. Honestly, Taava, I’m surprised you suggested it.”

Her ears went flat against her head. “Sorry for tryin’ ta be upbeat. Fine, maybe you’re right. But that means givin’ up somethin’ I know ya want.”

I exhaled a long breath and stood up. “Yeah, it does. But I’m starting to understand that I can’t have that—I can’t ever be a human in human society. And I’m fine with that, I can be a demon in human society.

“Except… well, that’s water more uncharted than north of Nelys’ home. I’m not just a greater demon, I’m a Sovereign demon.” I held my arms wide. “And it’s not an easy thing to coexist in the same spaces and on the same level as humans. People will try to use me to fight their battles. Not to mention the people I do fight for, clouding any neutrality I might manage. Who would hold me accountable?

“Right now, it’s not the King of Edath.” I pushed a pointer claw down into the table. “It’s not the Church.” I pushed another pointer claw in next to the first. “It’s the other Sovereign demons and my friends and family. Nevermind thoughts of the far future, even if I go to Linthel and walk through all the churches tomorrow, does it help me? Does it help the people of Linthel? No, I don’t think it does.

“What I think I ought to do right now is go to Utraxia to request a formal alliance and protection of Astrye. Lillith will take time to arrive here, and I should only be gone a day.” I stood up and walked past Taava toward the door.

Seyari barked a laugh. “So you’re going to just leave all the Edathan nobility and Yevon to figure out what happened?”

My breath caught. But the more I considered it, the more I realized… “Yes, I think I am. Heck, it’s not like I’ve got a title anymore. Pretty sure I’m not a citizen either.”

Taava thrust her hand up into the air. “Dibs on the castle!”

“Take it!” Sey waved as she got up. “I figure Renna and I would love to build a cottage in the mountains.”

“Hold on,” Brazz cut in. “Castle Astrye should belong to the citizens.” Her sister nodded.

“Dunno. I’m pretty sure I called it.”

“Oh?” Brazz’s eyes twinkled. “So you’ll contest the king’s claim yourself?”

“At least let me keep my room!”

Brazz furrowed her brow. “Huh? We’re not gonna kick you out. In fact, I figured you’d be a liaison for Renna, get to keep your old job, et cetera.”

Taava crossed her arms. “Double pay.”

“...What does Renna pay you?”

Already at the door, I stopped and told Brazz.

“No,” she answered quickly. “In fact, I don’t even know if we can afford to pay you as much.”

“Don’t charge me rent then!”

“I did not charge her rent,” I asserted.

Before I could get pulled into the building argument, I ducked—literally—out of the room. Seyari followed behind me and closed the door.

“Well that was a mess,” she said. “We need to set up a proper intel network in Linthel; we can’t get surprised again. I think we can put Taava on that maybe.”

“Make her her own crime boss.” I grinned. “You really think she’d like that after this slow life?”

“Dear, she’s in there right now trying to argue herself out of her job. Yes, I think she would.”

I got a sudden, strong memory of nights by the fire, listening to Taava’s singing. “I miss traveling with her. Nelys, Salvador, and our daughter too.”

“Me too,” Sey answered. “Things were a lot simpler when all we had to do was get over the next hill and find a place to restock our food.” She ran her fingers through plush red wing feathers. “But I like flying too.”

“Same.” I flashed a sad smile.

We stopped outside and sat down on a bench, staring up at the falling snow. Winter, for all its melancholy, was like this. Summer nights too. Good for reflection and introspection… and memories. Sey pulled me into a hug and I flopped my tail across our laps.

“Do you really think we can build that cottage in the mountains here? Will it be the same?”

“It’ll be a home with you in it, love.” She grabbed one of my hands in hers and squeezed.

“What about Joisse?”

“She’s capable, and she can easily visit.”

I nodded. “You’re right. She’s basically an adult.”

Sey leaned into my warmth. “Mhm.”

“So much has happened.”

She pulled a wing around us and I snuggled against it.

“I hope we can find peace.”

She nodded, and I realized she wasn’t about to let me go.

“You can leave in a bit,” she offered as an answer to my questioning look. “I’d like to stay like this for just a minute.”