133: Unexpected Visitors (Patreon)

“O-Oh hi, Apra! Fancy seeing you around here!” Tia said, waving energetically.

Does she know? Was Vir’s first reaction. It seemed unlikely; Haymi hadn't given him up when she'd healed him. Why would she now? Besides, Tia was much too friendly for having learned he was a demon. He'd have expected her to level her spear at him if she did.

“Tia, you’re not gonna convince me that this is a coincidence. Why are you here?”

“Well, you won’t believe it. Haymi missed you dearly. Nearly bit my ear off with all her begging. What’s a party leader to do? Gotta make my crew happy, don’t I?”

Normally, Vir would’ve expected Haymi to admonish Tia, maybe even kick her shin. Instead, the mejai averted her eyes, a look of guilt etched on her face.

A knot formed in Vir's stomach. No way! Did she really tell her?

He'd deferred chatting with Haymi for too long. He had to speak to her. In private, and as soon as possible.

Vir narrowed his eyes. “You’re right. I don’t believe it. Haymi wouldn’t do something like that. How’d you even get here, anyway? It’d have taken you far longer to ride an Ash’va.”

“Ah ha ha! Well, y’know?” Tia said, standing up and dusting off her skirt. “If I’m honest, it wasn’t just Haymi who was worried about you, y’know? Vason here got all sulky. He does that when he’s worried.”

“Hey!” Vason shouted. “There’s a limit to how much you can lie, Tia. Apramor, pay no attention to her words. She came here despite us discouraging her. I can only apologize on behalf of our overly nosy leader here.”

“It’s not just nosiness!” Tia said. “We’re here to make sure you’re safe. And don’t worry. Bumpy’s being well-cared for. No issues there.”

“You have an Acira, don’t you? It’s the only way you could’ve come here this quickly.”

“We promise not to get in the way, Apra,” Tia replied, patting Vir’s shoulder. Though even as she did, she stared deeply into Vir’s eyes. As if searching for something. “Just think of us as moral support.”

“You shouldn’t be here, Tia.”

Vir could tell she cared for his safety, and was honestly touched she followed him. He was also disappointed; she was poking her head into matters she had no business with. Then again, it was exactly like the reckless warrior to pull something like this.

“Well, I could say the same for you? This place is full of crazies! Haven’t you walked through the streets? Though I gotta say it’s nicer here than everyone says it is.”

Crazy? That wasn’t even close to the impression Vir had gotten. Though he hadn’t interacted much with the locals. Reth had mentioned that all the humans living in the Upper City were demon sympathizers. A ruse, then? To give visitors the wrong idea?

“C’mon, why don’t you have a seat?” Tia said, sitting and patting the ground next to her. “The way the waves reflect the moonlight is really something, isn’t it? Matali’s southern coast has a few beaches, but hardly anyone ever goes there anymore. Too dangerous with all the Ash Beasts flooding past our wall.”

While Promontory Hill did have a commanding view of the ocean below, but Vir knew she was just trying to change the topic. He wasn’t going to get anything further by pressing the point, though. Once Tia made up her mind, few things could change it. She was here now, and he doubted she’d be easily convinced to leave. The best he could do was learn what he could.

“Why do the beasts get past your wall? Isn’t that what the wall’s for?”

“Well, sure, but it’s not that simple,” she replied.

“Our section of the wall has gone under-manned for decades,” Vason said, gazing out at the ocean. “Some beasts vault right over it, while others pound their way through. When holes open up, it can be years before they’re fixed.”

“Not enough funding for that,” Haymi said softly. “But even the Kin’jals deal with this issue, and they have no issues with funding. The Ash boundary is… not what one might expect. It looks like an enormous opaque barrier that stretches all the way to the sky, but in reality, Ash Beasts may pop out anywhere near the barrier. Sometimes, even a mile or more away, behind the wall. Nobody understands why.”

That sounds awfully inconvenient. And dangerous.

“Why don’t they just build the wall farther back?”

“They keep rebuilding it every several decades,” Vason said. “Incredible expense. But there are homes, fields, and people living there. Relocation can get complicated. So they’re forced to build the wall as close to the Boundary as possible, even if it does mean needless deaths.”

Long ago, the Ashen Realm was merely a source of myths and campfire stories for Vir. Now, it felt more real than it ever had.

But do I really need to go now?

Vir allowed the soothing sound of waves to carry away his thoughts. The gentle nighttime breeze completed the picture. With few city lights to ruin the darkness, the Pagan Order’s buildings shone under the moonlight in a way few other cities did.

Vir had never fit in at Brij. He’d worn a hood wherever he went, and even then, he was an outcast, with only Maiya and Neel to call friends.

Then he’d found Spear’s Edge, and while he enjoyed his time with them, he could never truly belong.

He glanced at Tia. Not when Tia hates demons as much as she does. Not while I keep my true identity a secret.

Haymi might be alright with it, but he doubted Tia would be so open-minded.

And now, he’d found the Pagan Order. So much had happened in just a few short hours. He’d scarcely had the time to digest it all.

To think there’s an entire city right under our feet.

A city of demons. For demons. Possibly the only demonic sanctuary in the Known World. This was a place he truly could call home. A place he’d truly fit in. Now that he’d experienced what it was like to walk around in the open without makeup, to be accepted, he didn’t know if he could give it up.

Yes, the Demon Realm Janak asked him to seek would be similar. Better, perhaps. But at what cost? How likely was it he’d survive the Ashen Realm? How would he even get across? How’d he know where to go?

The risk was too great. Maybe the Pagan Order had some extreme views on humans, but with time, perhaps he could help temper those. There were good humans in this world—people like Rudvik, Apramor, and Maiya. People who’d be happy to coexist with demons.

The more Vir thought about it, the more his priorities shifted. He could find Maiya and bring her to the Order. Maybe her magic wouldn’t function, but it was a big city, and Maiya always wanted to live in one.

This could work!

“Getting a little chilly, don’t you think?” Tia said, shivering. “Let’s head back. Apramor, you got a place to stay?”

“Uh, yeah. They’re putting me up at the castle.”

“Fancy. But it must be a cold stone room somewhere. Why don’t you come over to our nice, warm inn instead?”

Vir had nothing to do until tomorrow night, and while he wanted to explore the Undercity, spending time with Tia didn’t sound so bad, despite himself. It may very well be the last chance he’d have to spend time with them.

“If you insist.”

One their walk back, Vason and Tia struck up a conversation, debating the merits of prana-rich Ash’va. Vason preferred them, while Tia felt the performance difference between their prana-starved brethren wasn’t worth the added cost.

Haymi hung back and quietly approached Vir.

“Apramor, I…”

“You know I’m Ashborn, don’t you?” Vir said, too quietly for Tia to hear.

Haymi nodded. “I know what that really means, too.”

“I see. Well, thank you. For not telling Tia. You even healed me up.”

"I, that's..." Haymi’s expression strained, and a look of guilt flashed across her face. “Not all of us hate demons the way Tia does. She watched her parents be butchered before her very eyes as a child, Apra. Please understand what sort of impact that might have on a person.”

“True. Hard to believe she turned out so normal after going through something like that,” Vir admitted.

“She’s strong. Sometimes, too strong,” Haymi said, before hesitating. “Apramor, I must warn you. My duties are to Tia. I’ve known her since we were children. I should have told her right away. I didn’t because… well… I didn't want hurt you, but if we ever find ourselves in conflict… I…”

“I know,” Vir said quietly. “I understand. She knows, doesn't she?”

“What? No! I didn’t breathe a word,“ Haymi said, glancing nervously at Tia’s back.

“Oh… I uh, I see,” Vir replied, thrown off kilter. Then why was Haymi looking at me like that?

“Just, please do not let it come to that. Please don’t make me harm you.”

Vir smiled sadly. “If anyone does, it’ll be her. Not me.”

“I fear you might be right.”

“Hey, Apra! What do you think?” Tia shouted over her shoulder. “Cheaper Ash’va? Or the prana-rich ones?”

“Well, Bumpy grew up in Hiranya and he’s got a limp, but he’s done right by me. I think all Ash’va are good, so long as they’re well trained and cared for.”

“See, Vason? See?”

Vason threw his hands up in defeat. “Fine. Fine! I can never win.”

Tia’s place wasn’t far. Near the western Green Ring rose a district of three story brick buildings. Nestled within was an inn was a simple affair, though tapestries livened up the walls and rugs warmed the floors. For fifty coppers a night, the three-bedroom suite was a steal, though it was a little dark. Thanks to the low ceiling, it served to give the place a cozy mood.

Candles were expensive, after all. Even for a premium suite like this, only a handful could be lit at once. The magic-less light that lit the Under City was nowhere to be seen—a privilege reserved for demonkind alone. The thought uplifted Vir, though he couldn’t say why.

“Worst part of the Voidlands is no magical cooling. It’s a wonder how they keep anything preserved here,” Tia said, rummaging around a sack of dried food.

“Salt,” Vason said. “Lots of salt.”

Tia wrinkled her nose as she poured some local mead into four glasses and handed them to everyone. “So? How’d you enjoy that Acira ride?” she asked, setting down a plate of nuts and dried fruit on the table, around which the four of them sat. “Pretty amazing creatures, aren’t they?”

Vir nodded, sipping on his wildflower mead.

Maybe it was foolish. Maybe he ought to have returned to Badal the moment Haymi told him Tia suspected. But some unseen force compelled him to stay. It was the part of him that had shared fond memories with the group. That had, for a brief time, considered them friends.

“That they are,“ Vir said, forcing a smile. “Never knew anything could feel so terrifying and exhilarating at the same time.”

It was nice while it lasted.

“Yeah, well, don’t get used to it,” Vason said. “Most people never even lay eyes on an Acira, let alone ride on one. The Order extended you quite the honor by flying you here.”

“Right. Says the guy who owns an Acira,” Vir countered.

“Not me! It’s all her,” the warrior said, pointing at Tia.

“Y’know, it’s pretty obvious by now you’re Sawai, Tia. There’s no point hiding it.”

“Ha ha, yeaah well. It’s complicated,” Tia said smoothly. She must’ve guessed Vir knew as much. “Anyway, if you think Acira are great, just wait until you see the Altani’s fast attack airships. Those things are even faster, and you can walk around the whole deck while it’s in flight! Really incredible. Plus, they’re invincible.”

“That’s just a rumor,” Vason replied. “No one’s seen them in action.”

“Kin’jal did,” Haymi said. “The One Day’s War. Banshi’s Folly? Their power is no rumor.”

“You sound like you’ve ridden them,” Vir said, feeling the drink’s effects take hold. He’d never been a fan of alcohol, but he couldn’t deny the drink was delicious.

Tia must’ve splurged for the good stuff. Is she trying to get me drunk?

“Maybe just once or twice,” Tia said meekly, staring at her glass. “So, uh, you gonna do their mission?”

And there it was.

“Think I am, yeah,” Vir replied, meeting her gaze and taking another sip.

“What do they want you to do?” Tia asked sweetly.

“Tia,” Haymi said. “Don’t be nosy. If Apra doesn’t want to tell, it’s none of our business.”

“It’s a rescue operation. Some innocent people are going to die. They want my help in saving them.”

“Well, that sounds somewhat noble, if you ask me!” Vason roared, clapping Vir’s back.

How much has this guy drunk? Vir thought. Vason was refilling his glass, but there was no way the warrior was inebriated after just a few sips.

“It is honorable, yeah. I don’t really have a reason to turn them down.”

He stared at Tia for a long moment. Tia was the one to break the silence.

“To tell you the truth, I… have an obligation I have to see to. Hate it, but that’s like, yeah? Can’t do much about it.”

Someone strongarmed Tia? Vir wanted to meet this person.

“So anyway, we’ll be leaving shortly. Just wanted to check up on you, y’know? We’ll be back in a few days, so don’t go anywhere!”

“I’ll be here.” For all her faults, he was happy for Tia’s concern, and thankful she wasn’t insisting on following wherever he went. ”I'm afraid I have preparations to make,” he said at last, standing up. No one rose to stop him.

When he finally left the inn, it was with a sense of remorse. In another world, perhaps Tia wouldn’t have hated demons as much. But even with all her prejudice, Vir couldn’t bring himself to hate her. Spear’s Edge had done so much for him, and they’d been good friends. Tia was a product of her times, and after what Zora said, her hatred was perhaps not unwarranted, as much as it saddened him.

He could hardly complain about completing this mission alone. And he wasn’t alone; he’d be fighting alongside the Pagan Order. While they'd only just met, they were the first demon community he'd encountered. Perhaps the only one like it. And that was worth fighting for.