OoOoO

The leaders of Undor gathered under an awning on the roof of The Skinny Dipper, Utunma's most popular inn and tavern. A span of blue and purple striped cloth stretched on poles cut the worst of the midday sun, filtering it through the weave and casting a long, tinted shadow across those beneath. The sound of construction and general bustle reached them easily from the street, but they had faith that their voices would not carry likewise above the hubbub. Even so, members of the Moaanese Guard had been posted around the inn, the formidable gleam of their bronze breastplates enough to deter any potential eavesdroppers.

            Those gathered formed a loose semi-circle, with Lord Xolani and Lady Oesu at their head. The Lord of Undor, still recovering from the loss of his arm during the Uprising, sat reclined on a whicker chair laden with cushions. Lady Oesu sat next to him, somber yet regal in charcoal grays with matching headdress.

            "If a retaliatory attack is to come, it will strike at Moaan undoubtedly," Oesu was saying. "It only makes sense; the city is a major port onto the Bay of Torbos, a hub of commerce, and the first point of civilization south after Falerik."

            "Not to mention the home of the State Hall, our new seat of power in the south," added Kiiss.

            "When, not if. When Mahir re-gathers himself and recalls the rest of his royal army companies to Amenthere, he'll be heading straight for us." Vinie may have been the General of Undor now, but she still looked to Reyson, Kiiss' hireling and formerly a soldier in the Gorian army. "How many companies does he still have, Reyson?"

            "Four, and all are larger than the Third with the exception of the Knights of Amenthis. The king will not bring the First Company out of Amenthere though unless he's truly desperate."

            "And why is that? I'd say he's probably plenty desperate already, given what's happened here," said Bakko. He sat next to Vinie, his knobby black hands stacked in front of him on the handle of his cane.

            Gideo, standing behind Vinie and Bakko like a looming sentinel, answered. "Because the Knights of Amenthis are the royal guard, first and foremost. Those men are some of the finest fighters in all of Goran. Even before we started making trouble for the capital, the Knights were treating warfare like an art. So long as Prince Hithon is in Amenthere, Mahir will keep the bulk of the First Company there to ensure his safety, and to protect the city."

            "You're sure of that?" Lord Xolani leaned forward in his seat, thick brows pursed with interest. Even now his right shoulder still twitched as if trying to rest his absent elbow on the arm of the chair.

            "Yas. From what I saw while undercover in the capital, Mahir will take every measure to see his son safe, even if it costs him deeply."

            Xolani's lips twitched. "Well, that's something perhaps. And what of the other three companies, Reyson?"

            "The Second was stationed in Blue Stone last I heard, although it may have been recalled to Amenthere by now. Likewise, the Fourth Company is posted to Geristan and the Fifth to Vaelona."

            "What is Mahir doing, peppering the edge of the Night Forest with army companies and leaving the jungle's edge largely open?" asked Vinie, incredulous. "When last I looked, we were the ones in open rebellion, not the north."

            "Cities and towns like Blue Stone and Vaelona have the size and means to support a barracks full of hundreds of hungry men in need of armor and weapons...Falerik does not," replied Reyson.

            "Methinks Mahir may have also been underestimating us sea-folk a tad," said Oesu dryly.

            Vinie was too concerned to be smug. The weave of her whicker seat creaked as she leaned forward. "He won't make that mistake again, not after what it's cost him. Including the Knights of Amenthis for argument's sake, the king of Goran still has nearly four thousand soldiers at his command. Four thousand to our one, if we were to arm everyone capable of fighting in Moaan and Utunma. We need more people."

            "You could try Danitesk," suggested Bakko. "They're small, smaller even than Utunma, but they're sea-folk like us and probably just as worried about the king's next move."

            Gideo nodded. "That's what we thought, Bakko. That's why, with Lord Xolani and Lady Oesu's permission, Vinie and I want to sail up-coast to Danitesk right away. Even though the jungle is thick around their town, they'll need to have something in the way of defenses organized."

            "You have our blessings, Lieutenant," said Xolani. "Oesu and I will likewise be returning to Moaan within two days' time, to fortify the city and prepare for a potential assault. It will take a great deal of effort to make Moaan's walls battle-ready though..." The Lord of Undor already looked weary, although considering his wounds that could hardly be surprising. He turned to Kiiss. "As to securing more people, you said you had information regarding the north, Madame Kiiss?"

            This was evidently the moment Kiiss had been waiting for, judging by the pleased smile on the ArtSeller's face. She laced her fingers together, blue nails stark against her skin.

            "More than information, my lord; a contact. There's a mercenary company based in Blue Stone who could get an envoy to Hashodi without needing to risk travel by the main road through the Night Forest."

            "If we were to send an envoy north, we'd need contacts in Hashodi as well, in case the regent proves a loyalist to the crown. Otherwise the risk is too great, between the north's isolation and the heavy army presence around the capital. Perhaps you could assist us there, Lord Jatheryn?"

            Xolani and Oesu turned to the only other inlanders present besides Reyson. Jath's wince at being addressed by his full name and title was slight, but still present. Formerly of Vaelona, in another life, Jath had already proven himself an aide to the Factionist cause by offering up his name and title as a gambit with which to extort the king. The bluff hadn't worked, but Jath remained at Vinie's side. In truth, the young nobleman had few other places to go.

            While Jath kept strictly to the shade of the awning, Lhara's face and arms were already darkening to a glowing tan. She had kept silent thus far, not really having anything to add to the discussion. In truth, she had been waiting for the opportune moment to bring up her seemingly-forgotten bargain with Vinie. In exchange for aiding the sea-folk as a healer during the Uprising, and for guiding Jath across the mountains to Falerik, she had requested transport inland to Geristan. If Reyson's guess was correct and the Fourth Company was still there, Geristan was where Lhara would find Tarun, her only remaining brother after Marden's death at Trosk. Now didn't seem quite the time to mention it though. Instead she bided her time and waited, arms folded across her borrowed linen shirt, which was far better suited to the heat and humidity of Undor than her own thick wool tunic worn from home.

            Jath nodded, loosening strands of parchment white hair from behind his sunburned ear. "Perhaps, although I can make no guarantees. I was acquainted with a nobleman of about my age from Hashodi, for a time. We met when his family came to...visit mine in Vaelona, and carried on a brief correspondence afterwards. He and I were friendly at the time, although I've since lost contact."

            "I see," Oesu sounded disappointed. "And is there anyone else present who might have connections in the north that could be leveraged?"

            When no one moved, it was Bakko who spoke up, his voice ever-so-slightly husky with age. "Are we committing to sending people north in the flesh then? It's an awful long way, when a bird could wing there in half the time."

            "True, but there's more bad news I'm afraid," said Kiiss.

She held up a hand and gave a short whistle. A vivid red-fronted macaw that had been roosting on the edge of the rooftop gave an annoyed squawk before coming to Kiiss' wrist. The bird looked terribly disheveled, with orange and green feathers sticking up at awkward angles. One of the macaw's legs was wrapped and splinted, and its feathers looked like they'd been violently plucked in several places.

"This is the second bird I've had return looking like this. Both times, the message it was carrying had been torn from its leg. Unless I have a secret admirer desperate to get at my letters, my guess is that the capital has started hunting Undorian messenger birds with falconers."

Xolani's lack of reaction suggested Kiiss had already told him about the messenger birds. "And so I am afraid, Master Bakko, that we just cannot risk sending a letter to the northern regent. Besides, it is no small thing that we intend to ask of them, and a letter is too easily refused. No, the northerners need to see and hear from us if they are going to fight Amenthere with us."

"Who'll be going then?" asked Bakko, sliding an anxious look sideways at Vinie. Vinie and Gideo were already slated to go to Danitesk though, and so she patted her dad's arm reassuringly.

"I will." Reyson spoke as firmly as if it were a foregone conclusion. "Blue Stone is the city of my birth, and I know its ins and outs better than my own reflection."

Oesu looked to Kiiss. "The two of you have discussed this matter between yourselves?"

"Oh yas," said Kiiss. "Reyson may be contracted to me and my interests, but right now my interests are heavily centered on seeing Undor survive infancy. I can vouch for his abilities as a swordsman when it comes to keeping this envoy safe through one of Goran's biggest cities."

Oesu frowned thoughtfully. "As much as Lord Xolani and I would have preferred to send General Vinie or Lieutenant Gideo north as an envoy to Hashodi, they are simply too notorious to risk sending outside of Undor. Likewise we cannot be spared to leave, as Moaan will be in need of our leadership. Madame Kiiss, perhaps you could be enticed to-"

Even before the Lady of Undor finished speaking Kiiss was already waving a manicured hand as if to ward off evil. "Oh no, not me! I'd like to keep what little anonymity I might still have north of Undor. Besides, I'm no diplomat."

"I think perhaps we had better ask our resident noble. Besides, Jath is the one with the contact is Hashodi," said Vinie pointedly.

Slowly, Jath nodded. "If that is what's needed from me, then certainly I can go north. I have a request though."

"Which is?" asked Xolani.

Lhara's head cocked in surprise when Jath looked beyond the edge of the awning to where she stood, still watching and waiting. Her mouth didn't fall open outright though until after he had named his request.

"I would like for Lhara to accompany Reyson and I. Foul fates seem to befall me every time I travel, the only exception being when Lhara is with me." His lips - lips which Lhara still remembered pressed warm and gentle against her knuckles – quirked at the corner in a barely-there smile. "Far be it from me to bring my recurrent bad luck down on a quest of this importance."

Lhara wasn't sure whether to be surprised or just outright angry. It was like Jath had entirely forgotten the bargain they had made. Surely he must have seen how her eyes flashed, because his smile quickly disappeared behind a still, impassive façade.

Just barely, Lhara remembered where she was before saying exactly what she thought of Jath's invitation. Undor's makeshift ruling council watched her, expecting an answer. With another narrow look at Jath, she let out a breath before trusting herself to speak.

"I'm afraid that I have somewhere else I need to be. My brother was drafted by the Fourth Company when they followed Nadathan and Sula's Factionists to Trosk. I'm sure Vinie remembers that part of our agreement for my help during the battle was that I'd be given transport to Geristan?"

Vinie was quick to nod. "Of course I remember, and I'm good on my word. I'm sorry Jath, but that was the bargain struck. You and Reyson will have to make do without. Kiiss, are you at least willing to have someone take Lhara to Geristan in your carriage?"

To Lhara's dismay, a look that could only be called coy was crawling across Kiiss' handsome face. "Ah, but I'm afraid I'm not. Wasn't the agreement that I would take the Wild Child to Geristan if Gideo accompanied us there?" She sent a wink Gideo's way, which he groaned aloud at.

"Kiiss, you can't be serious?"

When Gideo looked expectantly to Lord Xolani and Lady Oesu, the rulers of Undor's only response was impatience.

"This is a private matter to be settled another time and place," declared Xolani. His sharp gaze softened when he noticed Lhara's open outrage though. "You seek your brother in Geristan?"

"Yes!" Lhara cried.

"And if you find him, what then?"

Lhara's hand found her now-heavy coin purse on her belt. The money from having guided Jath across The Teeth had made her a rich woman, at least by the standards of Trosk.

"I'll buy his freedom, and my cousin's too if my money holds out. We can make our way home to Trosk from there."

To Lhara's bewilderment, Reyson was shaking his head. The ruby stud punched through his earlobe caught the light; an unlikely ornament for a man who by all other measures embraced ruthless practicality with his person. His head was a close-cropped as his chin and cheeks, which would have earned reactions running the gamut from bemusement to horror among the mountain folk.

"If a peasant's money could buy men out of service to the royal army, the king would have full treasuries and no soldiers. Even if it were possible with the coin you have there, Mahir needs all the men he can get right now. No captain in their right mind will let you take a drafted man home, not with open war on the horizon."

That took Lhara aback. She felt the hope she had been carrying of a timely return to Trosk with Tarun at her side fade like mist on the mountainside.

"Well then...perhaps I could find work in Geristan. At least I could be close to Tarun while he serves at the barracks."

"Perhaps..." said Reyson "...for a week or two. It'll probably be even less than that before Mahir orders all companies to assemble. He won't leave the bulk of his army scattered across the Night Forest's border any longer after the Uprising. I'd be willing to wager that the Fourth and your brother will have moved out of Geristan long before you get there, even in Madame Kiiss' carriage."

Oesu made another impatient noise in the back of her throat. Lhara was devastated though. If Tarun left Geristan, she'd have no way of finding out where he'd gone, short of tailing army companies across the face of Goran. Her jaw worked in silent frustration, and she could feel tears threatening to gather at the corners of her eyes. Jath was looking at her, remorse written all over his face. His wordless apologies did nothing to make her feel better.

"Well, there's still the matter of the envoy to settle," Xolani was saying. "So far we have two inlanders; one white as milk and the other even whiter. The regent of the north will receive them thinking the sea-folk are as common as hippocampi in Undor."

"I agree. General, who can we send to bring the face of the sea-folk to the north, as was originally the entire point and purpose of this envoy?"

Vinie reluctantly looked away from Lhara's pleading stare to answer Oesu. Her dark eyes flickered back and forth between the lady and the mountain woman. Suddenly, Vinie's face changed ever-so-slightly; her lips parted slightly and she sucked in a quick, quiet breath. Her gaze lingered at the space between Lhara and Oesu. Lhara thought perhaps the General of Undor had thought of a way to help her, but it was to Oesu that Vinie eventually spoke.

"I recommend we send Yidu."

"Yidu, your young scout?" Oesu sounded incredulous.

"Yas. As a scout, Yidu is used to travelling far with little. She's also strong, able to handle herself in a fight, but most importantly she's good-hearted. If the northerners meet Yidu and hear how Mahir took her sister and parents from her for supporting Factionism, they'll understand how important this fight is. How can they possibly stay hidden away in their corner of the world when we're fighting for our freedom...for our very lives?"

Lhara's stomach dropped. Although Vinie had directed her face toward Lady Oesu, it felt like her words were meant for Lhara. Yidu, always so happy and ready to help, had lost just as much as she had in life. She stood to lose more, if the sea-folk lost their battle against the crown. A scene flitted across Lhara's mind, a scene of Tarun wearing a red soldier's cloak, only his blue-grey eyes visible behind the slits of a blood spattered helmet. This war had already taken Marden and Yelaina from her. Now she found herself torn between three living people, all of whom she cared about.

In Geristan, Tarun might just as easily one day kill the people sitting in front of her as he might die by one of their hands. Yidu however was here, as was Jath, about to set their own desires and safety aside as they ventured north into the unknown. Whether this was her fight or not, it seemed the longer it went on the more likely people she cared about would get hurt, regardless of which side they were on. The only thing to do now it seemed was to choose a side and throw everything she had into ensuring they brought a swift, clean end to this burgeoning war.

"I..." Lhara had to clear her throat before continuing, which was just as well seeing as everyone was suddenly looking at her again. She met Jath's ghostly eyes, and saw a hopeful light suddenly dawn behind them. It was hard to stay angry when it was obvious just how much he wanted her to come. "If I were Yidu, I'd want another woman's company on the long trip to Hashodi. Seeing as I won't be going to Geristan anymore...I'll join your envoy to the north." Weakly, she tried to force a small smile. "Besides, you could use a Wise Woman's apprentice to keep Jath's bad luck off your backs."

OoOoO

            "You ought to be thoroughly ashamed of yourself, you know, manipulating that girl like that."

            "I would be...if I wasn't trying to make sure that both Jath and Yidu reach Hashodi in one piece. Vaelonese noblemen with friends in the north don't exactly grow on trees around here."

            Vinie and Gideo were trying to conduct their argument quietly in the kitchen of Sahar and Jaafi's old house. It was a humble home; two rooms downstairs and three up, but it was cozy. More importantly, it was where young Zaneo and Tani felt most comfortable. They were gathered together for what felt like the first proper sit-down dinner Vinie had had in months, if not years. Bakko had stepped out of the kitchen into the main room for a minute, his arms laden with food, giving Vinie and Gideo a brief moment alone.

              "You don't think that Reyson could have kept them safe by himself?" Gideo raised an eyebrow at Vinie as he worked the cork out of a bottle of wine. "Yidu's a better fighter than Lhara, and neither of them have ever been north of Falerik."

            Vinie chewed the inside of her cheek. She was feeling guilty enough, remembering the stricken look on the mountain girl's face as she realized that there was no easy way to retrieve her brother. Still she murmured out the same justification that had come to her during the meeting. Or rather, the thought which had occurred to her upon glimpsing Zaneo silhouetted behind Lhara's shoulder against the blue shade from the awning. Although they did not speak often, Zaneo and Sahar's presences seemed to be becoming more assertive. It was hard to believe that no one else saw them, and even harder still not to overtly react. Still, seeing Zaneo today had reminded Vinie of what she now stood to lose once more.

            "Lhara knows too much about us and you know it, Gideo. If we let her leave, let her go headed off straight in search of Gorian army companies, anything could happen. The last thing we need right now is Mahir getting his hands on someone whose spent time amongst our inner circles, listening to our plans and learning how we work together. I particularly don't want word getting out about you."

            Gideo popped the cork, the ripe scent of sour grapes racing out the neck of the bottle behind it. He turned a puzzled look on Vinie.

            "About me? I think Mahir knows my name and face all too well as it is. I'm the one who stood over him in his bed with a poisoned knife, remember?"

            "About us," Vinie clarified. She caught Gideo's wrist, turning his hand slightly to bring the fresh white marriage knot on his palm into view.

            With a sigh, Gideo shrugged. "Mahir has more than enough reason to want me dead already. The knowledge of our marriage would just be beating a dead fish after the fact."

            "Yas, well, that still doesn't mean I want word getting out. Lhara stays with our people, under Reyson's watchful eye. She's worth her weight in silver too for her healing skills, as well as her ability to bring out the best in Jath. Far be it from me to break that up before it even comes together."

            Gideo paused in gathering cups down out of the cupboard. He flashed an amused look her way over his shoulder. "So you've noticed that too? Gulls' splat Vinie, between matchmaking and manipulating, you're beginning to act a bit like Kiiss."

            "How dare you?!" Allowing herself to enjoy the simple pleasure of bantering, Vinie jabbed a finger into Gideo's armpit, making him wince. "Comparing me to that-"

            "Well, considering that the two of you also apparently share similar taste in men..."

           "Now you're just flattering yourself. Get that wine to the table before I dump it over your head, Lieutenant."

            "Yes General!"

            They joined Bakko, Zaneo and Tani at the table. It was a simple supper; lemon-seasoned fish, coconut milk rice and beans, but it was all home-cooked by Bakko himself. His time as patron of The Drunken SkinPainter inn/Factionist hideout in Falerik had only enhanced Bakko's already proficient cooking skills. Columns of steam rose from the heaping bowls covering the table, perfuming the salty air and making Vinie's stomach tighten eagerly.

            Once they were all settled and served, Tani asked something that threw Vinie completely off-guard.

            "When are we leaving for Danitesk?"

            Vinie paused, a bite of fish halfway to her mouth. She looked to Bakko, who blushed.

            "I told them about your plans to go to Danitesk earlier this afternoon."

            "We're coming with you," said Tani firmly. The little boy was barely tall enough to reach the rice in the middle of the table. Determined fire burned in his eyes as he stared down Vinie though.

            Vinie tried to break it to him gently. "I'm afraid not, Tani. It won't be a long trip, and Gideo and I are going to be the only ones going."

            "But we want to help!" protested Zaneo. He turned a pleading look on Gideo. "Everyone's going away, so why can't we? Madame Kiiss said she's going to Moaan with the Lord and Lady, Sir Reyson is going to Blue Stone with the others, and everyone's helping to fight the king. Please Uncle Gideo?"

            Tani barreled onward before Gideo could answer. "I'm going to fight Mahir, I am! He..." Tani's eyes became watery, and his voice quivered. "He killed mum and dad, and I'm going to make him pay."

            "Tani..." Bakko sighed.

            "No! Yidu's fighting, and she isn't of age either! We want to help. I want to stop Mahir from ever doing anything bad ever again."

            Vinie, who had spent the years she had once intended to use carrying and raising sons and daughters of her own imprisoned, had no real experience with children. Tani glared up at them, and behind his small, round face Vinie saw a spirit just as fiery as her own. She didn't know how to soothe an angry child, but she knew how to give vengeful passion and a thirst for justice direction.

            "Do you want to know how you stop people like Mahir? To stop all the hurting and the killing?" She spoke to both of Sahar's boys, and for the first time ever they listened, solely focused on her and her alone. "Fighting is one way, but it's not the best way. The best way is to become someone who can change the world; someone who can lead because people respect them, and who can protect others. And you do that by finishing your schooling."

            Zaneo and Tani's mouths were opening to protest, but Vinie wasn't finished. "If I had it all to do again, I would become someone like a LawMaker. It's the LawMakers who decide what is right and fair, and how to protect good people from the bad. But I didn't get a chance to be one, so I'm a rebel and a general instead, because I have to be."

            Young Zaneo looked down at his wooden plate, downcast. "But...who'll take care of us?"

            Bakko leaned across the table, laying a hand on Zaneo's shoulder with a kind smile. "I will boy. But I think it'll be more the two of you taking care of me, hmm? I'm an old man, and can't manage on my own anymore. I'll need both of your help to oversee things here in Utunma. We have to have that wall finished before Vinie and Gideo get back from Danitesk, yas?"

            "When does the school re-open?" Bakko mouthed at Gideo as the boys considered this carefully.

            "In four days," Gideo mouthed back.

              After a hurried consultation amongst themselves, Zaneo and Tani at last relented. Tani was grumpy all throughout the rest of dinner though.

            Later that night, Gideo, Vinie and Bakko sat up late after the boys had been tucked into their beds. The three of them sat drinking wine and thinking, much as they had in Gideo's loft immediately following Vinie's escape from prison. They spoke a little of plans for Danitesk, and of those going north to Hashodi. Guesses were even made as to Mahir's next potential attacks, once he returned to Amenthere and mustered the army to him. After a while though the political talk lapsed into a deep, loaded silence. The murmur of the waves on the docks could be heard outside, as well as the rustle of wind through the jungle canopy. Sahar's old yellow dog lay next to Bakko's chair with his shaggy jowls resting on his paws.

            Vinie leaned into Gideo's side, head resting against his chest with his heartbeat in her ear. Something felt precious about this moment, as if it were a sunset rapidly dwindling behind the sea. It occurred to Vinie that this moment, here and now, might be the closest that she ever came to living a real family life. Any or all of them might die tomorrow, next week, next month...she just didn't know. All the BlackPearl of Undor knew was that all of the king's fire and wrath would soon be upon them. The question was what, if anything, would escape the ashes?

OoOoO