135: A Clash of Red and Gold (Patreon)

Maiya descended upon Kin’jal Garrison Nihira at dusk, anxious about what was to come.

Princess Ira had seemed innocent enough, at first, with her teddy bear collection and pink room. Someone with a soft sport for such cute things couldn’t possibly be a monster underneath, could she?

As it turned out, Maiya had been very, very wrong. Ira was pure evil. An Ash Beast in disguise, capable of heaping such a monstrous workload upon Maiya’s back that her spine had nearly failed her.

The princess had Maiya running around the whole country, overseeing her personal operations, silencing her opponents—usually via stern threats and shows of force—and there seemed to be no end in sight.

As her latest punishment, Maiya had been saddled with the unsavory task of breaking Matali’s back. Or rather, asserting Ira’s influence in Matali for what was part of some grand scheme to get the country to recognize the princess’ power before she extended an olive branch, winning the country over to her—and her alone.

It sounded unlikely, but it wasn’t Maiya’s duty to question. This time around, her job was to play the villain, and she hated it. Absolutely loathed it. But she could act out the part if she had to. She was even good at it.

Maiya spiraled down slowly, enjoying the cool arid air while she observed Garrison Nihira’s fortifications. As far as Kin’jali outposts went, it was bog standard. Which was to say—disgustingly overbuilt. More a citadel fortress than a simple jail, there was no rhyme or reason behind its design. Other than projecting Kin’jal’s singular obsession with strength, of course.

It’s all such a farce, too, Maiya thought, descending into the left of the two Acira hangars—the one for visitors. It wasn’t empty. Another black-scaled beast lazed on the grass, and Maiya couldn’t take her eyes off it. If she hadn’t been expecting visitors, she’d have been surprised—even in a nation as wealthy as Kin’jal, precious few owned one. The garrison had three in a separate hanger for aerial defense, though most countries would consider that lavish for an outpost such as this.

“Alright, Frumpy. Easy does it, yeah?” she said, more to soothe herself than anything else.

He’s gonna be here. I’m finally gonna see him after so long.

She did wonder how Vir ended up in a princess’ mercenary party, but she wasn’t about to question her good fortune.

Frumpy flared her great black wings and settled gently on the grass, cooing, expecting praise.

“That’s a good girl. You’re such a good girl, aren’t you, Frumpy?”

The beast nuzzled Maiya, who patted her snout.

A receiving party appeared through a hallway, and Maiya jerked back.

Oops! Nearly blew it there. Gotta be angry. Time for some Head Handmaiden chalface. C’mon, Maiya, you got this!

The Balarian Guard marched up to Maiya and placed their spears. The Garrison Commander bowed respectfully. “Esteemed madam Handmaiden, welcome to—”

“You’re late.”

“P-pardon?”

“You are ten seconds late. Is this the level of discipline that passes at Garrison Nihira?”

“N-no, madam, it does not. Our visitors, er, have taken issue with some of my orders. I was merely—”

“Excuses? You come late and give me excuses?”

The Garrison commander paled. “I wouldn’t dare, madam.”

Maiya sighed. “Do not disappoint me again. Princess Ira is not nearly as forgiving as I.”

“Understood, madam Handmaiden,” the commander replied, a bead of sweat trickling down his brow.

Phew! Think I managed to pull off, Maiya thought nervously, her eyes darting around the courtyard.

“May I lead you to our mercenary visitors?”

“Yes!” Maiya said slightly too excitedly, nearly breaking her act.

“No need,” a freckled woman with long blonde hair called out from the hallway. She was flanked by a male in brown gambeson, and a female wearing a dress.

Maiya’s heart pumped so hard, she thought it’d burst.

A warrior and a mejai. Where is he where is he where is he?

The armored woman strode up to Maiya with the confident steps of someone who always got what she wanted. In her case, that couldn’t have been more true.

“So you’re the one who’s bullying my brother.”

Maiya wanted to shake the princess and ask her where Vir was, but instead she narrowed her eyes. Ordinarily, princess Tiyana Matali would be so far above Maiya’s station, she wouldn’t even dare look her in the eye, let alone address her.

Now, though, Maiya wasn’t merely Maiya. She was a royal handmaiden, and a direct representative of Princess Ira. She’d been given nearly all of Ira’s authority, and her words carried royal weight.

Which made for a very uncomfortable situation. She didn’t rightly know how to address the princess.

“Watch your tongue, mercenary.”

Ah, shoot. My Head Handmaiden chalvoice slipped out. She’s gonna hate that.

Tia leveled a death glare at Maiya.

Yep. She hates me now. Well, nothing to do but roll with it, I guess.

“You know who I am.” Tia said coldly. “You dare speak to me that way?”

“Yes, I’m aware you’re the leader of a B ranked Party, Spear’s Edge. Behind you are Vason and Haymi, I presume? Though, you appear to be missing your newest member, a—” Maiya nearly slipped, but caught herself, “an Apramor?”

Sadness and rage still filled her head for a moment. She imagined Hiranya’s capital burning to the ground, the knights who killed her family slaughtered.

Princess Tiyana took a half step back, and only then did Maiya realize how she must’ve looked.

She wiped her emotions, silenced by her professionalism. She had a job to do and errant thoughts of revenge had no place here.

Please tell me he’s here…

“Have we met?” Tia asked, suspicious. “You’re awfully well informed.”

C’mon, just tell me where he is!

“Don’t believe we have.” Maiya could no longer resist. She sprung the question. “I’d expected a party of four. Is your fourth missing?”

“Not that it’s any of your business, but he had matters to attend to. He will not be joining us.”

Maiya stared blankly for a second. Then two.

“Is… something the matter?” Haymi asked when the silence grew awkward.

“O-oh, er, no. I’m afraid we may have gotten off on the wrong foot. You may call me Maiya.”

“Tia. And we’re not done here. If you think you can strongarm me and my brother into—”

“How about we have this conversation elsewhere? I do not wish to sow discord among the ranks, and I believe you also have cause to appreciate a degree of privacy?”

The last thing Maiya wanted was to talk to the princess right now. She wanted to be alone, so she could hole up in a corner and cry. Of course, she let none of her emotions show.

Tia bit her lip and nodded. Her bodyguards averted their eyes.

“Good. Then you can accompany me as I make the rounds. Commander, er…” Maiya said, looking at the still-bowing Garrison commander.

“I am Rohin, madam.”

“Commander, Rohin. As you were. You are well versed in what is to come, yes?”

“That’s correct, madam. This isn’t the first time we’ve had special guests over.”

Princess Tiyana frowned in confusion, but kept her silence.

“Good,” Maiya replied. “Carry on with your business. If I find any issues with the garrison, I’ll find you.”

“As you wish, madam Handmaiden.” Commander Rohin retreated with his guards, leaving Maiya alone with Spear’s Edge.

“Walk with me,” Maiya said curtly.

“You know exactly who I am, so drop the attitude,” Tia replied. “You will treat me with the full respect I am due.”

Ugh. This is gonna suck. Why did I even go through all that effort, if this is how things were gonna turn out?

Whatever excitement Maiya had about this opportunity evaporated the moment she learned Vir wasn’t present.

Maiya turned abruptly, bringing her face within inches of Tiyana’s.

Tiyana held her ground.

“Tell me, Princess Tiyana Matali, what respect is that, hmm? Your country is in shambles. It may fall any day now, and if it does, who will your brother come running to for help? Who will restore order when chaos breaks and crime runs rampant in your streets?”

Tia glared.

“Us. Kin’jal. The most powerful empire in the realm. And you… Look at you. You’re a princess in name only, adventuring like some commoner. Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? I am, just looking at you. You’re a failure, Tiyana. A reject. You want my respect? Earn it.”

This is so bad. I’m gonna die.

Tiyana’s mouth opened and closed, but she said nothing, backing away slowly, keeping her eyes locked on Maiya’s.

“I’ll remember this,” she said softly.

Maiya sighed internally. She was seriously about to punch me.

If Tiyana did punch her, she’d of course defend, but then what? Despite her words, Maiya couldn’t lay a hand on a princess, broken kingdom or no. She couldn’t really even order her around, which was why she’d played up her Head Handmaiden attitude so much. It gave her authority even when she had none.

“Erm, apologies, madam handmaiden,” the mejai—Haymi—said, speaking up for the first time. “We fully intend to help and abide by your orders.”

The princess shot her mejai a glare, but she ignored it.

“I’d appreciate that, Haymi,” Maiya said, earning a respectful gaze from the mejai.

“I'm surprised you knew our names.”

“It's my job,” Maiya said simply. “What of it?”

“Just… I didn’t expect someone of your station to memorize a mere bodyguard’s name, is all.”

“So are we expecting trouble?” Tiyana asked, cutting in. “Or is all this just for the sake of appearances?”

Maiya didn’t answer immediately, leading them down a hallway. One benefit of Kin’jal utilitarian design was that all their garrisons shared identical floor plans, making them easy to navigate.

“A bit of both. We’re expecting a raid tonight.”

“Who’s attacking?”

“Nobody’s attacking, per se.”

How am I supposed to explain this?

Maiya had come up with a plan beforehand, but with Tiyana being how she was, Maiya doubted she’d accept it so easily.

Maiya led them to a guard room, where she introduced herself to the jailors.

“Show them to me,” she said.

“Show what?” Princess Tiyana asked, growing confused. “Why am I even here? What’s going on?”

The door opened, and even before Maiya spied them, she knew it’d be bad.

The putrid stench forced her to cover her nose. It was the smell of unwashed bodies and feces.

More than twenty demons sat shackled on the cold stone, the light all but gone from their eyes. There were two-armed demons, four-armed demons, red demons, and one gray demon amongst them.

Maiya’s heart bled.

How could they do this…

This wasn’t the first demon jail she’d seen, of course, but it never got any easier. Every bit of her urged her to command the guards to unbind them, to set them free. She wanted to cry.

But anger suppressed her tears. This was the true face of the world. The dark, dirty side everyone pretended didn’t exist. More demons existed than people knew. Kingdoms and Empires just did a good job of keeping them hidden.

Disgusting.

This was the Kin’jal Princess Ira was trying to change. Maybe this was the real reason the princess had assigned her here. To get her to hate the status quo so much that she made Ira’s mission her own.

If so, it’d worked. Maiya raged at those complicit in these crimes.

“Disgusting,” Princess Tiyana said from beside her, and her rage burned no less brightly.

She feels the same! Maiya thought. Maybe she’s really not as bad as I thought?

“Why haven’t you slaughtered these demons already? Why do you keep this filth alive?”

Maiya’s hope doused the moment it’d been lit.

Figures. But I have my part to play. I hate you, Ira.

“You are shortsighted for a princess. It would be so easy to kill them, wouldn’t it? To dump them in a hole and burn their bodies? But what would this do to the other demons? The radical ones who ravage your lands? Would they not redouble their efforts?”

Tia glowered. “We can handle them. We’ve suppressed those terrorists for centuries already. What’s a few more suicidal maniacs to eradicate?”

“Kin’jal does not see it that way. Tonight, raiders from the Pagan Order will arrive at this Garrison to break these prisoners free. We will let them.”

Tia whirled. “Tell me why I shouldn’t spear your gut right this instant? That’s treason, handmaiden.”

“In fact, these are my orders. Orders that apply to you, as well. You are to put up a fight, yes. But when ordered, you will stand down. Is that understood?”

Tia glared at Maiya, saying nothing, but Maiya calmly shifted her eyes to a more reasonable target.

“Didn’t you just say you would cooperate?” Maiya asked Haymi, giving her a pointed look. “Am I to believe that was a lie?”

“No, of course. We will obey your orders, handmaiden. Won’t we, Tia?”

“You want the Pagan Order to eliminate them, is that it? You can’t even do your own dirty work.”

Maiya nodded. “It is more efficient to have those zealots dispose of the demons. That is all. Why waste our resources when another country will gladly do it for us?”

“I don’t like this,” Tia replied. “I don’t like this one bit. I’ll do it, but only for my brother’s sake.”

Finally! Maiya thought, mentally pumping her fist. When she’d coerced Prince Erhan to send help, she’d had him promise to send Tia. For one, it was a bigger ask—and thus more of a show of Kin’jal force—but the real reason was to get Vir to a location and time of her choosing. Over the past months, she’d followed his trail, but she’d always remained one step behind. Always missing him.

She thought the plan was sound. The hardest parts had gone off without a hitch.

Ash damn it, Vir! Why’d you have to stay behind!

She wanted to rage at her friend. Maybe shake his shoulders and shout at him. Vir’s presence was the only thing that offset the significant downside of this plan—Tiyana. She’d dreaded being unable to keep the princess under control, but figured she could work together with Vir to control her.

“That is all I ask,” Maiya said, doubting Tia’s words. Could she really keep the bullheaded princess under control?

A guard rushed up to them, breathless. “Madam handmaiden, Commander Rohin has deployed our Acira. It’s raiders! We’re under attack!”

Maiya smiled. “Then let us be gracious hosts and put on a good show, shall we?”

Her true test began now.