Amelia Thornheart Chapter 135: Connections

With the disguised safe in her hands, Serena stepped into the Bastet family’s guest room. nes had offered to give them the master bedroom at the top of the building, but Serena had refused. They’d already imposed on Nefertari and her family so much already. It was bad enough to have them send the children away for the night, but to turf them out of their bedroom as well?

“One bed,” Alia pointed out, darting around Serena and examining the small, but tidy room. “Reminds of the inn in Kenhoro. Ha!” Alia twirled on the spot, throwing her hair up. “You were so flustered then, rember?”

“I don’t have any idea what you’re talking about,” Serena said as the exact mory ca to mind. She put the disguised safe down and closed the door.

“Don’t close it, Rommy will want to sleep with us.” As Alia spoke, Serena sensed her flex her aether, surrounding the room in Alia-level privacy wards. Now, even if a naval shell detonated in the room, it was unlikely to wake anyone else up.

“I’m sure he can manage one night without us. Besides, he has Solara.” Serena paced back to the bed and sat down. The mattress was low to the ground and harder than she would have expected, but the soft blankets covering the bed made up for it. She tapped the fabric, saying, “I don’t think I can sleep, with all the things I have to worry about.”

“ neither,” Alia replied, coming over and collapsing onto the bed. She then let out a frustrated groan and declared, “Can you believe what she said about !” She rolled onto her stomach, spreading her limbs. “Ah, she was so an, and you laughed!” An accusatory finger was pointed in Serena’s direction.

“You asked for her opinion,” Serena replied, unable to stop herself smiling as she batted the finger away. “What did you expect she was going to say? ‘I’m so happy my job is a hundred tis more difficult thanks to the Golden Healer’?”

“I don’t know! I was just curious. And you…” Alia huffed, turning her head and blowing a piece of hair out of her mouth. “Laughing while she called a flat-headed—”

Serena laughed. She couldn’t help it. Nefertari Bastet had quite the talent with words, as expected of a politician. It reminded her of her own mother and the infamous tongue-lashings she could dish out.

“I thought she was being quite diplomatic,” she said.

“She said she wanted to stab !”

“Mmm. We have much in common.”

Alia rolled her eyes and poked Serena once, twice, but before she could manage it a third ti, Serena intertwined their fingers. She looked at her girlfriend and said, “She said that she didn’t know whether to thank you or stab you. I thought that was rather fitting, considering the chaos you’ve caused.” While Alia stuck her tongue out, Serena continued, “We’re the ones intruding in her ho, and she’s been quite accommodating. We did just eat a al intended for her children, after all.”

“Ah… I suppose.” Alia yawned and asked, “Do you think she knows?”

Serena paused to consider it. She brought her mind back to the al, rembering every comnt and subtle change in Nefertari’s body language. The woman had given no obvious indication that she saw through Alia’s disguise, but then again, she was an experienced politician. And… if she had seen through it, was Nefertari Bastet the type of woman who would enjoy giving the infamous Golden Healer an indirect tongue lashing, revelling in the fact that she couldn’t argue back?

“She might,” Serena said honestly. “But if she has seen through you, she seems content with not causing a scene.”

“Content enough to call the persistent pain in her—”

“Relax,” Serena said, reaching over and placing a palm on Alia’s cheeks. “Even if her opinion of you is less than you hoped, once she finds out you’ve healed all the opium dens, she’ll change her tune.” Serena had every confidence that Nefertari would be able to figure out why Ishaq’s opium addiction would vanish during the upcoming Arcwhale Festival. The demon was sharp, and even if she couldn’t put it together, Serena knew she would extract the information from her husband eventually.

“Relax, should I?” Alia yawned again and slithered up the bed until she had her head against a pillow. “I suppose we could.” Alia raised an eyebrow and said in a quiet voice, “My sound-blocking wards are really good, aren’t they? And this would be the first ti we’ve spent a night alone since Asamaywa. Without Anathor, I an. What do you say…”

Serena folded her arms and gave her girlfriend a look. “Really?” she asked. “Here?”

“What?” Alia looked down at the floor and then up towards the ceiling, avoiding Serena’s eyes. “What’s wrong?”

“We’re unexpected guests imposing on the ho of a Cascadian Lord and his politician wife,” Serena said. “We also have this”—she gestured to the safe—“to worry about, and you’re thinking about… about…” Serena clicked her tongue. “About that.” She shook her head for good asure, finally adding, “You’re incorrigible.”

“Bleh.” Alia stuck her tongue out again. “Is that a no, then?”

“Of course it’s a no.”

“How unfair! We’re finally alone together, and I’m lying here, all cute and—”

“Don’t say it.”

“And horny,” Alia complained, the shaless comnt as unstoppable and direct as a tungsten penetrator. “Smuggling black crystal and assassinating Cascadian Lords? No, the real cri is putting in a room with you and not letting —”

“Wait a bit longer,” Serena said, reaching out and ruffling Alia’s hair. “It won’t be long.”

“Hmm…” Alia rolled onto her back. “I’ll only manage if you give a kiss.”

Serena glanced at the closed door. There was no lock, but her enhanced ears would pick up on any approaching footsteps. Confident they wouldn’t be caught in the act, Serena leaned down, giving her girlfriend a slow kiss on the lips. They broke apart, and she looked into Alia’s eyes for a long while, silently communicating their emotions and desires. Then she leaned in again, stealing another kiss, and then another. Just as their tongues started to play, Serena found the willpower to pull away before it beca too much.

She’d almost given in to the temptation. Opium might destroy lives in Ishaq, but Serena had to contend with a far more addictive drug.

“What’s wrong?” her addictive drug asked.

“You’re dangerous,” she said. “That’s it. No more seduction. Let’s focus until we’ve handed this crystal to Intelligence and received new orders.”

“And then,” Alia replied, biting her lower lip in a manner that brought heat to Serena’s cheeks, “we’ll go to the hot springs. nes said they have private ones. Finella had better find Aiden soon. How long do you think we’ll be here?”

“They’ll find him tonight,” Serena assured. “Perhaps they’re on the way here already.”

“I an in Ishaq.”

“Oh.” Serena motioned for Alia to turn around. Once she did, she swung her leg over and sat on her girlfriend's rear. She began gently massaging Alia’s back, earning her a happy, relaxed moan as she traced her muscles with a practised amount of pressure. “I’ll keep the ship here at least until the Arcwhale Festival is over. It’s bad for morale if the crew has their leave cut short. We’ll find ti to train Hinako for her debut. It’ll be quite the spectacle, I imagine. It’ll be interesting to see how wider nobility respond to your sponsorship.”

“Is it that important?”

“Not by itself,” Serena explained, running a finger down Alia’s spine, enjoying the shiver she triggered to run up her girlfriend's back. “But the actions of a newly-ford house are used to signal what areas it seeks to influence. House Thornheart has taken in an entire orphanage as its house staff and is now sponsoring duellists. Many would find that combination interesting.”

“Mmm…” Alia humd happily.

Serena continued massaging her girlfriend, only for her to suddenly rember the shaless item her girlfriend had purchased. Feeling a bubble of frustration swell up, she gave Alia a firm poke, prompting her to jump.

“Hey!” Alia complained. “What was that for?”

“You! I saw what you bought in Ishaq earlier. Buying that… that massage oil! I can’t believe you!” Serena poked her again for good asure. “Did Officer Mori see you buy that?” She continued poking her girlfriend, targeting her sensitive sides.

“Heh,” Alia grinned as she wiggled underneath her. “Maybe, but l’s so focused on becoming you, I don’t think she noticed. I doubt she suspects a thing.”

Serena paused her assault. “Becoming ? What do you an?”

“She looks up to you,” Alia said, twisting underneath and moving onto her back. “I think that’s why we get on so well.”

Serena raised an eyebrow. “You’re saying you look up to ?”

“I’m looking up at you right now,” Alia replied with a grin.

Serena grinned back. “And what do you see?”

“Hmm…” Alia reached out a hand, tracing it up Serena’s uniform. “Opportunity,” her girlfriend said, smoothly managing to unbutton half of Serena’s clothing before she realised just how deft Alia had beco at undressing her.

“Don’t push it,” Serena said, taking Alia’s hand into her own.

“Don’t push it?” Alia questioned. “Or don’t tempt you?”

“Both,” Serena said. “Since when did you get so good at undoing buttons?”

“I practised.”

Serena wasn’t sure if she was joking or not.

“Well, if I really can’t relax tonight…” Alia sighed dramatically. “Then I’ll have to save it up for the future. I tell you, the mont we get into the hot springs I’m going to use this tongue of mine to—”

Serena picked up a pillow and threw it into her girlfriend's face with aura-enhanced strength.

“Talk about normal things, idiot,” she said as Alia removed the pillow, now with an imprint of Alia’s face upon it, and threw it back at her.

“You’re the one making it difficult,” Alia protested. “Sitting on , running your hands all over . What’s a girl to do when she has the hottest demon in the Known World on top of her? The gods themselves must have blessed you, for—oh, you’re blushing!” Alia laughed.

“Shaless.” It was all Serena could say.

“I know. I’m sorry.”

“No you’re not.”

“I know. I’m sorry.” Alia yawned. “Serious talk then. How was it with Korvus?”

Delighted to finally have the conversation go in a non-risque direction, Serena gave Alia a rundown of their eting.

“Surprised you didn’t end up fighting,” Alia said.

“Almost did. Hells, we might end up fighting if he figures out you’re here.” Serena looked down at her girlfriend. “He said he could defeat you if you two fought again.”

“Did he?”

“Yes. He said he’s gotten stronger.”

“So have I.”

“That’s what I said.”

“Well…” Alia tapped a tune on Serena’s thighs. “If he tries anything, I’ll protect you.”

Serena sighed and gave her girlfriend a loving look. “Nefertari was right about one thing. You are confident, aren’t you? How about you let protect you?” She leaned in and gave Alia a gentle kiss on her forehead. The illusory horns shimred as her face passed through them. “Can’t have the broadsheets talking about how the church’s saint is running around beating up war heroes.”

“Would you prefer it if I watched you do the beating up?” Alia asked. “Is that it? I bet you just want to look cool for , don’t you?”

Serena clicked her tongue and gave Alia’s forehead a playful flick. “Miss Liona, I am a captain of the Imperial Navy, Speaker of Narean, and eldest daughter of the esteed Highlord Halen. I’m also a Cascadian Lord, so I have more things to worry about than trying to look cool, as you put it.”

“Right, right,” Alia mused, the edges of her mouth curling into a playful grin. “You say that, but when you fought that Maramba guy and cut his arm off, you did that swish of your sword before you sheathed it. You know, the one I said I thought made you look cool.”

“...Shut up.”

Alia burst out laughing.

“Changing the subject,” Serena said, doing her best to ignore how warm her cheeks felt. “I intend to find ti to train the squad. Not just for Hinako before her debut, but Officer Mori wanted to practise her orange against riflefire, didn’t she?” After Alia nodded, Serena continued, “And it’ll be a good opportunity for you to sit down with Noburu and try to figure out his mistwalking.”

“Would have loved to enter the Shimr half an hour ago.”

“I could tell.”

“Ah, is that what your laughter ant?”

She flicked Alia’s nose. “Let’s get so sleep.”

Alia wrinkled her nose in response. “Should I just heal us awake?”

“Later.” As amazing as Alia’s healing magic was, sotis there was nothing better than closing her eyes and lying there in the darkness. Stifling a yawn, Serena turned down the room's aetherlight. Giving the disguised safe one last look, she lay down next to Alia. Although she was barefoot, she kept the rest of her clothing on, not wanting to delay any action should the need arise.

So, with Alia’s soft breathing next to her, she closed her eyes and let her mind wander. She knew she wouldn’t sleep; she had too many things to think about. But now, in the dark room, with Alia resting softly, she felt she could ruminate on everything that had happened.

Lady Houk.

The arcwhale.

Ishaq.

Charles Hornford.

Nine.

The docunts Seonmi and Noburu found.

Pirates.

Black crystals and chains.

Rhaknam.

Nine?

Serena opened her eyes. There was that thing, wasn’t there? While they were in the Passage, she’d asked Anathor about ancient temples, spurred on by the moon altars ntioned by Anathor’s father in the mory Serena had inhabited. Then, later, when she’d tried to bring the black crystal aboard the Vengeance, it had forcefully shown her another mory, this one of a convoy moving through the Southern wilderness towards—presumably—one of those temples.

Anathor had spoken of a warning.

Nine old beasts from days gone by, sealed away where none ask why. Nine dark temples, cold and deep, where ancient monsters lie asleep. Even as her mind recounted the early words, Serena shivered, as if the room’s temperature had dropped. Next to her, Alia shifted slightly, snoring away as usual. There was more, wasn’t there? Nine strong keys to bind the door, scattered wide forevermore. Lose them not, nor break the chain—or beasts shall walk the world again.

It sounded like a child’s rhy, but beneath its rhythmic sound, there was sothing deeper. She’d chosen to ignore it, but sothing nes had said had reminded her of it. What was it? Serena closed her eyes, doing her best to rember the conversation. Ah, that was right. She’d asked nes about Pyrinn, the Old World na for the Red Moon.

It’s what the Ashendi called her, ned had replied. We must never forget their true nas, my sayyidah. All nine of them. If we forget, the chain will break and they will be born again. He had chuckled then, only to say, Well… It’s a tale to scare children. I do not believe it.

Before she had the opportunity to ask nes about it, they’d been interrupted by the arrival of the Nefertari. Then, Bahar had co aboard and made so regrettable life choices. Once that was dealt with, the connection between what nes had said and Anathor’s warning had left her mind. Only now did she rember it.

Anathor had said the warning was thousands of years old. Whatever it was for, it was probably irrelevant to her current duties. If Serena were the Serena from a year ago, she would have left it as that. But, now… She turned around, opening her eyes and watching the sleeping figure of her girlfriend. Anathor had sounded scared talking about it. An emotion she’d never heard in his voice before. If he, a Formless, was scared, then no matter how ancient, how forgotten, how buried in the past it was…

There was a potential that it was a threat to Alia.

And that was sothing Serena could not allow.

Taking a breath, she sat up. nes assured her that he would stay awake, keeping watch both for Finella and just in case there was an attempt by the Enemy to reclaim the crystal. She closed her eyes, focusing on the aetherfield for a mont, identifying his nearby signature. Satisfied, she climbed out of bed.

“Mmm…” Alia humd. Her girlfriend’s hand moved to where Serena had been lying, as if to hold onto the lingering warmth. “Co back…” Alia mumbled.

“Just going to talk to nes,” Serena said softly. “Go back to sleep.”

“Mmmkay…”

After taking a few seconds to tidy her uniform and fix her undone buttons, Serena adjusted her hair, collected her sword, and exited the room. Surprisingly, Serena only had to take a single step into the corridor to et soone.

“...What?” she asked quietly, looking down at the noble Luscan.

“w,” Romulus responded, padding past her and into the guest room. The peeka climbed onto the mattress and fell against the sleeping Alia. A second later, Alia had reflexively wrapped her arms around the animal and pulled it into a hug. Judging by Romulus’ purring, loud to Serena’s aura-enhanced senses and so deep she could feel its vibrations through her feet, the troubleso peeka had got what it wanted.

She took a mont to admire the scene before rallying her mind to focus on the task at hand. Closing the door softly, she turned and silently made her way through the corridor, her barefeet naturally gliding using the Shimokan technique of suri ashi—sliding foot. Sothing about being barefoot made her feel like she was back at the academy, training.

Always be ready, she reminded herself.

As she climbed the stairs towards the aether signature of nes, she felt her fists squeeze with determination.

There were countless unknowns in the Known World.

But she would uncover every single one of them, and deal with them no matter the form they took if it ant she could protect that which she loved.