Chương 36: Chapter 135: Connections

With the disguised safe in her hands, Serena stepped into the Bastet family's guest room. Menes 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," Amelia pointed out, darting around Serena and examining the small, but tidy room.

"Reminds me of the inn in Kenhoro. Ha!" Amelia twirled on the spot, throwing her hair up.

"You were so flustered then, remember?"

"I don't have any idea what you're talking about," Serena said as the exact memory came to mind. She put the disguised safe down and closed the door.

"Don't close it, Rommy will want to sleep with us." As Amelia spoke, Serena sensed her flex her aether, surrounding the room in Amelia-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."

"Me neither," Amelia replied, coming over and collapsing onto the bed. She then let out a frustrated groan and declared, "Can you believe what she said about me!" She rolled onto her stomach, spreading her limbs.

"Ah, she was so mean, 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 times more difficult thanks to the Golden Healer'?"

"I don't know! I was just curious. And you …" Amelia huffed, turning her head and blowing a piece of hair out of her mouth.

"Laughing while she called me 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 me!"

"Mmm. We have much in common." Amelia rolled her eyes and poked Serena once, twice, but before she could manage it a third time, 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." When Amelia stuck her tongue out, Serena continued, "We're the ones intruding in her home, and she's been quite accommodating.

We did just eat a meal intended for her children, after all."

"Ah… I suppose." Amelia yawned and asked, "Do you think she knows?" Serena paused to consider it. She brought her mind back to the meal, remembering every comment and subtle change in Nefertari's body language. The woman had given no obvious indication that she saw through Amelia'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 me the persistent pain in her—""Relax," Serena said, reaching over and placing a palm on Amelia's cheek.

"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?" Amelia yawned again and slithered up the bed until she had her head against a pillow.

"I suppose we could." Amelia 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 time we've spent a night alone since Asamaywa. Without Anathor, I mean. What do you say…" Serena folded her arms and gave her girlfriend a look.

"Really?" she asked.

"Here?"

"What?" Amelia 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 home 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 measure, finally adding, "You're incorrigible."

"Bleh." Amelia 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," Amelia complained, the shameless comment as unstoppable and direct as a tungsten penetrator.

"Smuggling black crystal and assassinating Cascadian Lords? No, the real crime is putting me in a room with you and not letting me—""Wait a bit longer," Serena said, reaching out and ruffling Amelia's hair.

"It won't be long."

"Hmm…" Amelia rolled onto her back.

"I'll only manage if you give me 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 Amelia'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 became 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," Amelia replied, biting her lower lip in a manner that brought heat to Serena's cheeks, "we'll go to the hot springs. Menes 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 her.

"Perhaps they're on the way here already."

"I mean in Ishaq."

"Oh." Serena motioned for Amelia to turn around. Once she did, she swung her leg over and sat on her girlfriend's rear. She began gently massaging Amelia'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 time 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 Amelia's spine, enjoying the shiver she triggered to run up her girlfriend's back.

"But the actions of a newly formed 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…" Amelia hummed happily. Serena continued massaging her girlfriend, only for her to suddenly remember the shameless item her girlfriend had purchased. Feeling a bubble of frustration swell up, she gave Amelia a firm poke, prompting her to jump. Unauthorized use: this story is on Amazon without permission from the author. Report any sightings.

"Hey!" Amelia 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 measure.

"Did Officer Mori see you buy that?" She continued poking her girlfriend, targeting her sensitive sides.

"Heh." Amelia grinned as she wiggled underneath her.

"Maybe, but Mel's so focused on becoming you, I don't think she noticed. I doubt she suspects a thing." Serena paused her assault.

"Becoming me? What do you mean?"

"She looks up to you," Amelia 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 me?"

"I'm looking up at you right now," Amelia replied with a grin. Serena grinned back.

"And what do you see?"

"Hmm…" Amelia 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 Amelia had become at undressing her.

"Don't push it," Serena said, taking Amelia's hand into her own.

"Don't push it?" Amelia 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…" Amelia sighed dramatically.

"Then I'll have to save it up for the future. I tell you, the moment 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 Amelia removed the pillow, now with an imprint of Amelia's face upon it, and threw it back at her.

"You're the one making it difficult," Amelia protested.

"Sitting on me, running your hands all over me. 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!" Amelia laughed.

"Shameless." It was all Serena could say.

"I know. I'm sorry."

"No you're not."

"I know. I'm sorry." Amelia yawned.

"Serious talk then. How was it with Korvus?" Delighted to finally have the conversation go in a non-risqué direction, Serena gave Amelia a rundown of their meeting.

"Surprised you didn't end up fighting," Amelia 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…" Amelia 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 me protect you?" She leaned in and gave Amelia a gentle kiss on her forehead. The illusory horns shimmered 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?" Amelia asked.

"Is that it? I bet you just want to look cool for me, don't you?" Serena clicked her tongue and gave Amelia's forehead a playful flick." Miss Liona, I am a captain of the Imperial Navy, Speaker of Narean, and eldest daughter of the esteemed 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," Amelia 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." Amelia burst out laughing.

"Changing the subject," Serena said, doing her best to ignore how warm her cheeks felt.

"I intend to find time 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 Amelia 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 Shimmer half an hour ago."

"I could tell."

"Ah, is that what your laughter meant?" She flicked Amelia's nose.

"Let's get some sleep." Amelia wrinkled her nose in response.

"Should I just heal us awake?"

"Later." As amazing as Amelia's healing magic was, sometimes 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 Amelia. Although she was barefoot, she kept the rest of her clothing on, not wanting to delay any action should the need arise. So, with Amelia'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 Amelia resting softly, she felt she could ruminate on everything that had happened. Lady Houk. The arcwhale. Ishaq. Charles Hornford. Nine. The documents 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 mentioned by Anathor's father in the memory Serena had inhabited. Then, later, when she'd tried to bring the black crystal aboard the Vengeance, it had forcefully shown her another memory, 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, Amelia 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 rhyme, but beneath its rhythmic sound, there was something deeper.

She'd chosen to ignore it, but something Menes had said had reminded her of it. What was it? Serena closed her eyes, doing her best to remember the conversation. Ah, that was right. She'd asked Menes about Pyrinn, the Old World name for the Red Moon. It's what the Ashendi called her, Menes had replied. We must never forget their true names, 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 Menes about it, they'd been interrupted by the arrival of the Nefertari. Then, Bahar had come aboard and made some regrettable life choices. Once that was dealt with, the connection between what Menes had said and Anathor's warning had left her mind. Only now did she remember 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 Amelia. And that was something Serena could not allow. Taking a breath, she sat up.

Menes assured her that he would stay awake, keeping watch 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 moment, identifying his nearby signature. Satisfied, she climbed out of bed.

"Mmm…" Amelia hummed. Her girlfriend's hand moved to where Serena had been lying, as if to hold onto the lingering warmth.

"Come back…" Amelia mumbled.

"Just going to talk to Menes," 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 meet someone.

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

"Mew," Romulus responded, padding past her and into the guest room. The peeka climbed onto the mattress and fell against the sleeping Amelia. A second later, Amelia 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 troublesome peeka had got what it wanted. She took a moment 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 bare feet naturally gliding using the Shimokan technique of suri ashi —sliding foot. Something 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 Menes, 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 meant she could protect that which she loved.