Chapter 74

When we arrived home, Mirri was waiting in the entry hall.

“There’s some guys outside the gate that wanna talk to you,” she said, jerking a thumb toward the door. “Ashie’s keepin’ an eye on them.”

“Okay. Anything I should know? About them? About today?” I asked.

“Nah.” She shrugged. “Oh - creepy chick’s wandering around somewhere. Said she wanted out of the demesne for a bit.”

“Elise? Got it. I’ll keep an eye out.” I leaned down, kissed Mirri, then Serah, and headed out the door to the courtyard.

Elise wasn’t hard to spot. In the moonlight she almost glowed - white robes, hair like snow, pale skin that nearly glowed. The wind tugged at her braid and sleeves, setting them rippling in slow, hypnotic waves.

“Everything okay?” I called.

She startled, spinning toward me. Color rushed to her cheeks and she folded her arms around herself, nodding quickly before hurrying down the steps.

“Miss me?” I asked, smiling.

Her blush deepened. The nod this time was smaller - barely perceptible.

“Keeping an eye on the men outside?”

Another nod.

“Good. Come on. Let’s go talk to them.”

I pulled the gate open and we stepped out onto the road.

A campfire burned off to one side, its sparks climbing into the dark. A dozen men sat around it. Rough posts had been driven into the ground for their horses, which stamped and snorted in the cold. All but one wore armor and arms, though their posture was loose as they sipped steaming drinks from plain cups. No tents. They hadn’t planned to stay long - or had been ready to leave quickly.

They stiffened the moment we appeared. Hands drifted toward hilts until the unarmed man near the fire raised a calming hand.

He was tall - over six feet - and lanky, with sandy hair falling in loose curls to his shoulders. Bright blue eyes caught the firelight. His nose had been broken at least once, but it only lent him a roguish edge. He wore Arvellia’s purple and gold - gryphon and flaming sword emblazoned proudly across his chest. The others bore the same colors.

He approached slowly, arms slightly spread, palms open.

“Lord Grimm, I presume?” His voice was friendly, formal - and a touch higher than I expected.

I nodded. “Yes. How can I help you gentlemen?”

Elise hovered close behind me, almost using me as a shield.

“My apologies for my men,” he said, inclining his head. “They are not accustomed to wizarding ways. A void-mage such as your companion unsettles them.” He bowed properly this time, unflinching despite Elise’s presence. “Thomryn Fairholt, pursuivant of the Grand Kingdom of Arvell, messenger of Her Royal Highness, Queen Abigayle Alderbrook of Haleford.”

I returned a short bow. “Seth Grimm. No fancy title.”

His smile sharpened just slightly. “Her Royal Highness extends an invitation. She would have you attend her at the palace in Crownreach.”

“Crownreach is a month on foot,” I said. “How did you arrive a week after my reply to the last messenger?”

“Horses, my lord.” Pride crept into his tone. “Their shoes are enchanted. With them, we may reach any corner of the kingdom within a day.”

“That does sound useful.” I studied him a moment. “When does the queen expect me? Do I ride with you, or make my own way?”

“The invitation carries no date,” he replied. “Her Majesty leaves the timing to your discretion.”

I nodded slowly. “I need to speak with my companions. You seem better behaved than the last group who came calling. If you promise to stay that way, I’ll offer you accommodations within the walls.”

“That is most gracious, Lord Grimm.”

I turned to Elise. “Please gather everyone in the common room while I tend to our guests..”

She nodded and slipped back inside.

The gate stood at the eastern edge of the courtyard, where the road to Reedwatch climbed the slope. The keep itself loomed to the west, the land falling sharply beyond it in a natural defensive drop. To the north, the watchtower cut into the night sky, its granting view of every valley and hill around us.

I led Fairholt and his men into the southeastern corner of the yard. Their horses remained outside for now.

Adhaneth rippled in my grip and reshaped herself into a guitar. I strummed low, resonant chords and sang softly. Stone rose. Spare firewood rolled over and twisted. Basic materials were conjured from my mana, shaping themselves into a line of simple barracks - beds, hearths, rough tables and benches. Hitching posts rose from the earth. A lean-to stable formed from timber and stone. Two broad barrels settled into place, filling with clear water.

The soldiers stared.

Adhaneth shimmered again, returning to her staff form in my hands.

“You may stay the night here,” I said to Fairholt. “We’ll speak again in the morning.”

Then I crossed the courtyard and entered the keep, leaving a dozen wide-eyed Arvellian soldiers behind me.

* * *

“So you think it’s a good idea to just ride off with these fucknuts to meet some queen cunt-face who sent a different batch of fucknuts to physically kick us out last week,” Mirri snapped, her voice echoing off the stone walls louder than it needed to, “and who, if you’ll remember, you told to shove her letter up her ass?”

“No,” I said evenly. “I’m asking if you think it’s a good idea.”

Ashlara, Serah, and I sat around the low table in the common room of Northwatch Keep. Candles burned in stone sconces, their light flickering and throwing long shadows into the corners. The fire had burned low, embers pulsing faintly. Mirri paced across the thick rug, soft boots slapping in short, agitated steps. Elise stood near the wall - out of the way, like a white shadow among the dark - close enough to be part of the circle whether she believed it or not.

“Well, I don’t,” Mirri said, stopping mid-stride and folding her arms tight across her chest.

I turned to Ashlara. She’d been quiet, watching the others instead of speaking. Our eyes met for a moment before she glanced away.

“What do you think, Ashie?”

“I don’t like it,” she admitted, voice low. “But we’ve killed dragons. Fought wizards. Defeated a god killer.” She lifted her gaze again, steady now. “We can manage a few days without you if we stay sharp. And if it goes bad, we retreat to the demesne.”

They’d all learned to step in and out of my demesne over the last several days - clumsy at first, then more certain. They needed one another as anchors. The children could do it too, with varying success. Lilae moved like it was second nature. Torvek struggled, stubborn and frustrated. They seemed limited to each other - it made sense since they were the brightest beacons of my Faith.

“Serah?” I asked.

She sat straight-backed in her chair, hands folded neatly in her lap, crimson hair falling over one shoulder. She had the air of royalty even when silent.

“I believe it would be prudent to go,” she said at last. “Trade should be restored. These are lean times for all five villages - Reedwatch most of all.” Her amber eyes held mine. “Securing your claim over Northwatch Keep will only strengthen your position in the long run. And I believe it would require concerted effort to place you in true danger.”

I nodded slowly.

“What about you, Elise?” I asked, turning toward the pale figure near the wall.

Mirri huffed. “Wait, when does the creepy chick get a vote?”

Elise flushed immediately and avoided everyone’s eyes. Her arms were wrapped around herself as she stood there, uncomfortable under the scrutiny.

“Elise is part of this family,” I said firmly. “What she says matters. We’re in this together. We’re a team. Right?”

I held Mirri’s gaze until she looked away, guilt flickering across her face.

“And this isn’t a vote,” I continued. “It’s not you versus me. Or anyone versus anyone else.” I stood and crossed the room, kneeling beside Mirri. She looked smaller up close - angry, worried, guilty, scared beneath the bravado.

“I love you, Mirri,” I said quietly. “I’m trying to do what’s right for us. But I don’t have all the answers. I need your guidance.” My eyes lifted to Ashlara, Serah, and Elise. “I need all of your guidance. We each bring something different to this family. But we’re equal. And I need every one of you safe and healthy.”

I looked back at Mirri. “Okay?”

Her jaw worked for a moment. Then she nodded. I pulled her into a hug, felt her tension ease just a little, then returned to my seat.

“So,” I said gently, “what’s your take, Elise?”

“I… do not know,” she admitted, barely above a whisper. She looked shaken - arms still wrapped around herself, gaze fixed on the floor.

“That’s alright,” I said. “I don’t know either.”

I looked around the room - the firelight, the worn stone, the people who had somehow become my entire world.

“Let’s sleep on it,” I said at last. “We’ll talk again at breakfast. Then we decide.”

* * *

I didn’t sleep that night.

I probably could have. Exhaustion tugged at me, quiet and persistent. But my mind wouldn’t settle and I chose not to **** it. There was too much turning over inside my head.

I wandered the courtyard beneath the cold wash of moonlight, keeping my steps light as I made a slow circuit along the walls. I tried not to make it obvious that I was watching the soldiers quartered there. They seemed at ease - low voices, the occasional muted laugh, embers glowing in their firepit. No whispered conspiracies. Only a single guard once they settled in. If they noticed me in the shadows, they gave no sign.

Satisfied - for now - I returned to the keep.

I moved door to door, checking on everyone.

The halls were dim and quiet, lit only by dying candles and the faint red pulse of banked coals. Behind each door I found slow breathing, the soft rustle of blankets. Brinja, Elarion, Issa, Lilae, Mak, Tib, Torvek - each in their own rooms, sprawled in sleep. Torvek snored faintly. Lilae had kicked half her covers to the floor.

My room was warmer.

Ashlara, Mirri, and Serah were tangled together in my bed, limbs draped over one another in **** affection. Even with rooms of their own, they rarely used them. Mirri had one hand buried in Serah’s hair. Ashlara’s arm rested protectively across them both. Their breathing was slow, steady - anchoring.

I’d made a room for Elise as well, but she almost never slept there. She preferred the demesne - the library, or one of the quiet chambers of the castle beyond it.

So I stepped there.

The library greeted me with stillness and soft golden lamplight. Elise sat at one of the long desks, quill moving in neat, deliberate strokes across a page. Stacks of parchment and open tomes surrounded her like a fortress.

“Late night?” I asked gently as I entered.

She startled - papers rustling as she shuffled them into some semblance of order. There was a long pause before she answered.

“Yes.” Her voice was barely above a whisper.

I stepped closer.

“I’m sorry about Mirri,” I said. “She means well. She just… hasn’t spent enough time around you to get to know you yet. To get used to you.” I exhaled softly. “That doesn’t excuse what she said. You’re not a creepy chick. You’re wonderful. She’ll realize that eventually.”

Color rose to her pale cheeks. She turned her face away.

“Are you okay?” I asked, taking the seat beside her. “You seem shaken.”

She nodded - but still wouldn’t look at me.

I rested my hand lightly on her shoulder, careful to touch only fabric. Even so, she flinched at the contact before going still.

“You know you can talk to me about anything, right?” I said quietly. “No judgment. I might not have solutions. But I’ll listen. To anything.”

Another nod. Her eyes remained fixed on the floor.

“Alright,” I said after a moment. “I’ll let you work.” I stood, lingering just a second longer. “Try to get some sleep tonight, okay?”

She nodded again.

I left her there beneath the soft glow of lantern light.