Across The Veil - Sanoleth - Chapter 83 - Lunarphoenix (2024)

Chapter Text

Finding the Binding

A loud slam of a notepad on wood and a long, exasperated sigh escaped the room as the Prince leaned back in his chair and rubbed his aching temples. How desperately he wanted to be the one at Darkwall playing with his mate and her companion, but no. He had to do his duties over and over in monotony and hellish normality, reading report after report of losses to the Jailer's forces that was making him frustrated all over again. The temptation to whisk her away into the very darkest depths of Sinfall and sever every other bond he had was becoming more and more tempting by the hour given how little progress they were making against his forces in the Maw. Let them all deal with it and damned be the consequences just so long as he could convince her to stay in the darkness. Perhaps the most grim part was that he genuinely thought he could do it. Convince her that all the other Harvesters were liars, that her Soulbinds were merely pretending and that only he was worthy of her love and attention because he was the only one to truly listen and act on her words. To play on her insecurity and last lingering doubts they hadn't yet managed to expunge... but what would be the point? They had worked so hard to watch her fly free of such choking burdens.

Renathal growled into another annoyed sigh. The Curator and her mate had gotten to spend time making a relationship between them whenever they wanted, but what did he get? Another knock on his office door probably dropping off more dreaded reports.

“Come in,” he tried to put some energy into his voice to limited success.

It turned out to be Denoreth who gave him a flash of a smirk as he closed the door behind and rubbed his hands in anticipation as he approached the desk. “You look like you could use a pick-me-up.”

“I feel like it too,” he grumbled in response.

“Then I'll take your appreciation for how much work this took because it's finally finished.”

Renathal frowned, blinked, and then straightened up in an instant. A wide grin took over the nightborne's face as he routed through his trouser pocket and produced a black velvet box with a gold band around the middle, taking all the showmanship he could muster to wiggle his hands over the top before finally opening it and placing it squarely in the middle of his discarded notebook. The Prince was rarely speechless yet laying eyes upon Denoreth's work was something different entirely. The oblong black opal's settings had been filed down into fangs of their own, gripping tight to the primary gemstone that had a million different sparkling hues of rainbow lighting into the very core through the dark edges surrounded by a halo of small diamonds, laying atop the cross-banded ring itself with settings of ruby and amethyst that followed on the diagonal lines. The rose-gold of the ring itself was polished to reflective perfection and he noticed had an odd mechanism on the inside that he tilted the box to try and work out.

“Since I figure she'll never want to part with it, when she turns into a venthyr you should be able to squeeze the sides and it'll pop out into a bigger size,” Denoreth explained.

“You have outdone yourself my friend,” Renathal managed to say, “Are you certain that-”

“Yeah yeah I don't care about all that,” he scoffed, “Just make her happy. That is all I care about. San's been through a lot and she deserves someone that can help her take the load off. Just... don't be an idiot, okay?”

“I fear that warning has come too late,” the Prince snorted.

“Yeah, well. Hopefully you know not to do it again.”

He nodded, the guilt of it still ate him up inside. The expression on her face mainly. Pure shock and then nothing more than apathy. No, he pushed it from his mind, there was no point in dwelling. They were both different people from then and he had to accept that he had made a mistake. The fiery reflection in the opal was distractingly stunning thankfully and with a deep breath he finally managed to set it down and snap the top shut, leaving it in darkness once again until it was ready to be given as the ultimate gift.

“Thank you, Denoreth. Again.”

He nodded before clearing his throat and gesturing at the scattered papers all over the desk. “Can I help with this? I suddenly have a load of free time for no particular reason.”

He groaned and shook his head, quickly pocketing the ring inside his overcoat and dragging them all forward again. “Not unless you can waltz into Torghast and solve everyone's problem immediately.”

“Well I can certainly try-”

“Absolutely not,” the Prince fixed a stern look at him, “If I am not allowed to be a fool then neither are you.”

He scoffed but shrugged anyway, grabbing the closest report to look over. Renathal leafed through them quickly and felt the headache starting to return until he realised that one of them wasn't actually addressed to him. Pulling it to the front carefully and uncrimping a folded corner, scanning over it quickly without much interest until he reached the signature at the bottom.

I just want to talk. I'll be at the arena tournament and if you want to use it for your frustrations then fine. I deserve it. See you there?

Nery~

He took a moment while folding it up and scored his nails along one of the folds with concern. His mate was better, yes, but was she better enough to let go of the truth being kept from her by someone she once trusted? Renathal held the letter out to Denoreth who took it gingerly and tilted his head.

“It's for your sister. Keep an eye on for her while I can't, won't you?”

“Uh... sure. Do we know what this is?” he waved it a little.

“From Nryssra.”

“... Is it a good idea to give her this?”

“Possibly not, but it is ultimately her decision of what she wants to do. And I suspect I know what she will want to do,” he gave a dry laugh, “I will attempt to wrangle all of this together again. With some luck I will have tasks for you both very soon.”

“I hope you're expecting the thunder to come down when she gets this,” Denoreth chuckled as he turned to leave.

“When you stand in the eye of the storm it is not its thunder you fear, but its calm,” Renathal replied without looking up.

“The Accuser tell you that?”

“The Fearstalker, right before she put me on the floor and gave me a new scar. I have found the saying to be correct more often than not,” he mused, “Now go, lest the Accuser appear at the mention of her name and scold me for not doing my work.”

The nightborne gave a mocking salute before slipping out into the corridors with an echoing laugh, one that had him half wondering if it were he or Guile presently wandering the corridors. There wasn't much time for thought however, swallowing another groan at the sheer workload and picking up his quill to start writing his replies. Hopefully Sanoleth would have a far better day ahead than his own.

In, then out.

Nose, then mouth.

Meditation was only somewhat helping to clear thoughts enough for the whispers from the edge of the realm to have enough space to be heard. Ears strained and mind open was the only way the smallest of responses could be heard at all but not understood, flicking with a deep frown while twisting to compare against any known language. Letting out a sigh and opening her eyes again placed Sanoleth back squarely in front of Darkwall Tower, teetering perilously on the edge like it had for nearly a year at this point and thankfully didn't seem to be interested in completing the journey quite yet. Grabbing the reliquary at her back and hauling herself to her feet showed how long she had been sat there while rubbing at her tailbone with a grimace. The wind was blowing a fair breeze that whistled through the ruin, winding its way over stone and through overgrown foliage to bind her in its grasp before carrying on into the realm itself.

“Seems I'm not fixing you today either,” Sanoleth sighed and let it be snatched away in the gusts, “How else am I supposed to do this? Why is it so much easier for me to remake a house than pick you up and put you right?”

“Maybe it's the proximity to the castle?”

She blinked and turned toward the voice to find the Curator tilting her head while petting a stonebat trying its best to wrangle out of her hands. She seemed to notice and put her hands flat so he could stand up and take off toward his master, extending her arm to receive him with a happy squeal as he began to pad against her skin. His claws were still sharp but she bit her tongue and began to scratch under his chin to a pleased trill. The Harvester strode to her side with a little smile and looked back at the creaking ruin again, rubbing her arms against the chill in the air with a thoughtful hum.

“Have you had luck anywhere else?” she asked.

“Yes. I could restore all of Stonevigil by myself with only one break. Now we need to gather the old citizens and ask them what they want to do with the rest,” Sanoleth said after a moment.

“It will take time to gather everyone like that but I'm glad to hear it's worked out for you,” the Curator's warm smile helped her own, “You've become a lot more powerful of late. I hope you're being careful.”

“I just said I had to take breaks,” the nightborne insisted while peeling Kenatar from wrapping himself around her hand, “I'm glad someone noticed. Feels like Renathal is buried in his work again which makes sense but...”

“But?”

“Uhm... Never mind,” she shook her head a little, “We were talking about something and I hoped he would have had an answer by now.”

“If I know my brother as well as I do, he isn't one to be rushed into many things,” the Curator chortled while searching her hip-bag for something, “Here, why don't you play with Kenatar? He's been rather restless with me so maybe you can tire him out and put your mind onto something else.”

Sanoleth raised an eyebrow when she finally pulled out an unassuming white rubber ball about the size of a strawberry, handing it over and encouraging a quick throw. Kenatar certainly seemed interested once she waved it around above his head and caught his attention, losing his grip with the wing-claws to try and catch it already until she did an underarm throw into Darkwall. He dropped almost immediately with a startled shriek before catching his weight and flapping rapidly to retrieve it, the ball bouncing across broken pebbles and between shattered brick until he landed on it and began to paw expectantly. The ball was steady in his grasp once he managed to pick it up and came flying back with a triumphant cry to drop it in her extended palm and chased it once more further away. The ball seemed to hold him completely captivated and either by mouth or claw it was brought back each time and he would stomp on the ground for every second she didn't immediately throw it back out. The Curator was enjoying the show every time he pounced on where it landed or had to chase every bounce through the terrain he wasn't expecting and Sanoleth's smile couldn't be shaken either. He would tire himself out eventually, but for now it was more than enough just to spend some quality time bouncing the ball between her and her sister, revelling in the twilight with her newfound freedom.

That was until someone else teleported at the foot of the bridge leading out from the castle, turning to find out who it was and being rewarded with a face-full of stonebat for the trouble. Kenatar deposited the ball into her hand again and flitted his wings with a happy squeal as the new arrival made their way along the road and she realised who it was.

“Den!”

“Hey sis. And other sis I guess?” he tilted his head at the Curator and she seemed to genuinely consider the question for a moment.

“I suppose so, if you wanted. Wouldn't we be family by marriage anyway?”

Sanoleth felt herself turn suddenly very red and extremely nervous, fidgeting with the rubber ball while Kenatar tried to bite at it and she eventually threw it out again. She was sure both of them noticed but only Denoreth actually did something about by sidling up to her and waggling his eyebrows before being rewarded with an elbow to the chest.

“Ow! Hey, don't shoot the messenger,” he rubbed the sore spot before pulling out a sheaf of paper and handing it to her, “This is for you, apparently Renathal picked it up by accident.”

She squinted a little as she took it, the small buzz against the tips of her fingers indicating that the Prince had definitely handled it. Kenatar went to the Curator with curious trill once she unfolded it and began to read, frowning deeper the further she got.

Sanoleth,

I know I'm not your favourite person right now. I've accepted I probably never will be again. You deserve as much as I remember though so I decided to write it out and pray you understand.

When your mother first had you, she was genuinely afraid. You weren't exactly an easy infant and once you could walk you always had to be supervised or it was only a question of what would happen around you. Young magic is wild and untameable, words which described you to a T as well at the time. You shaped the world however you wanted and everyone else had to run to keep up with how fast you could use magic, I don't know if you remember but you would make Nariya's job even harder than usual by floating all the utensils in the kitchen over everyone's heads.

The year you turned... ten I want to say? That was the year Ardrynn began to crack down on the more frivolous uses of magic. The one you hated the most was having to open doors normally instead of making them move before you got there, it did make me laugh to watch you do it anyway once he turned around. Still so young and playful. Then something -I swear to every ancestor I've met and the rest I haven't yet that I don't know what- triggered your father's instinct to wrap your mana inside yourself. I didn't understand what he meant, I kept telling him that it was normal and natural that gifted children could use their magic so freely without hurting themselves, but he insisted you were whittling away your life-force on stupid things. That was what he said, but his eyes- they unnerved me. Such darkness I had never seen before inside that it raised the hairs on my neck and sent a cold shiver down my spine.

It was not until several moons later that he played his hand- he wanted to fold your mana in on itself as a series of loops and seal them flat behind a gateway. I told him it was impossible and that I wouldn't help him to do such a thing to an innocent child. You certainly won't remember but his retaliation was to poison Nariya against me and convince her that the Oracles had granted him a vision of your demise. That you were meant to burn so bright you would consume your own spark in your young age, roughly the time you are now. I can't bring myself to ever forget the little girl he brought before me when he had completed the spell moons later, how timid and frightened of her own shadow she was. This girl that loved so easily and became excited over any little thing was now flinching away from my touch and trying to hide behind anything she could.

I was utterly heartbroken for you. And I couldn't do anything about it because he knew how to twist my arm – it wasn't any threat to me I feared but the harm he could now do and did to you. I fought to take you as much as I could and when you brought up wanting to learn fencing with me I was so relieved. Both you and your brother were always little lights whenever I taught you. The fire in your eyes would remind me how alive you were, that the young girl with an inquisitive nature was still in there somewhere, then you would go home to him and it would be like a switch reset and I had to coax you back out again. It was painful every time and whenever I spoke to Nariya about having you checked out by a professional she would brush it off as nothing. I tried to fight for you. I wanted to do everything I could for you, then when I felt like I had nothing left to lose the Legion came and dragged you away. They robbed me of the opportunity to tell you and I knew he never would.

I was fighting off centurions that day when I was called to you on the island with your rage. Trying to break back into Suramar to find any sign of you or Denoreth since I knew Thalyssra had picked up your mother. The guards that still respected me had chosen to stay their blades and explained what had happened to Ardrynn and that you escaped. When I tried to make my way to your estate was when I suddenly found myself in front of you and I needn't repeat the rest.

The truth of all this boils down to a few words: I failed to protect you. I failed you as a child unable to stop your father from casting his spell over you. I failed you as an adolescent when I wasn't there to help you learn about your new existence. I failed you as an adult when I knew what he was doing to you and didn't step in to stop it. I failed you as an adult when I couldn't save you from the Legion and you had to rely on malevolent spirits to carry you through your life.

I just want to talk. I'll be at the arena tournament and if you want to use it for your frustrations then fine. I deserve it. See you there?

Nery~

Sanoleth let the letter sit in her hands for a moment, unhearing the words the Curator and Denoreth were saying as she swallowed hard and tried to process the sudden dump of information. It still didn't answer the question of why but she knew most of it was true. And she was wrong, there was some far-fetched memory of floating the pots above her mother's head for a while. At least she recognised she was part of the problem despite there being no real justification, was there really a reason that she could never have just said something? Her father must have had a tighter stranglehold around the nightborne than she had previously wanted to admit.

“Is there meant to be another Maldraxxi tournament soon?” she asked aloud.

“Oh, yes! It slipped my mind with the Soulbinding and everything,” the Curator suddenly snapped her fingers, “You're invited. Personally by the Primus.”

“Getting a little up there in the world, eh San?” Denoreth's lopsided grin was nigh infuriating in its smugness.

“It's probably because I won the last one, dipstick,” she shot back, “Something about defending my title if I had to hazard a guess.”

“I think it's more along those lines too,” the Harvester nodded and held her arm to catch the returning speedy stonebat biting the ball in his mouth, “Is that what the letter was about?”

“Not exactly. It was from Nery wanting to apologise.”

“Hmm,” her brow darkened, “She knows you don't really do that, yes?”

“I thought she did. I might have an idea though... did he tell you when it was?”

The Curator squinted while trying to pull the answer from her mind, rolling the ball between her fingers while Kenatar watched with interest. “Let me think. Three days from now? Apparently he spoke to Harriett about it as well.”

“Because I'm so hard to reach,” Sanoleth folded the letter pointedly and stuffed it inside her overcoat's pockets, “Well, I have something else to do until then.”

“Try rebuilding all this?” her brother gestured vaguely around them.

“No. I want to find Renathal's signet ring.”

The Harvester went to throw and then seemed to click what she just said, pausing to stare at her with a hard expression long enough for Kenatar to start nipping her fingers impatiently. In a surprisingly smooth motion she threw it over her shoulder and pushed her arm to give the stonebat some lift and he went speeding off like a bullet with an excited shriek to chase after it. The Curator went to biting her lip and then running her knuckles back and forth over them as she tried to find whatever it was that had her suddenly so riled.

“... Why?”

“Because it's meaningful to him. When he gets around to giving me a ring I don't want to sit there empty-handed. It's tradition that both sides get something so I want it to be a good something,” she replied with a shrug.

“I'm not sure he'll want it back,” the Curator frowned.

“Well it's a good thing I am.”

She looked at her with a hard gaze for a moment before letting out a sigh. “Alright. The only thing I can remember is that it wasn't with us in the Maw, but he certainly had it when the Master confronted us here. I don't remember Denathrius taking it himself.”

“I think it was probably stolen by Chamberlain. Renathal remembers some... choice words as he was being dragged away. Wouldn't surprise me if he used the opportunity to slip it off and hide it away.”

Rubbing her chin with eyes narrowed in thought, the Curator missed the return of Kenatar at her feet with a triumphant series of squeaks chomping his ball so Sanoleth knelt down to beckon him back over. He seemed happy enough to have someone to drop it off to, flitting his wings for small jumps across the cobblestones to arrive at her outstretched hand and deposited it with a happy squeal. Roughing over his ears with a smile as she went back to standing and prepared to throw it again she caught Denoreth looking at her oddly, lowering it to raise an eyebrow instead.

“What?”

“You're... a lot different lately. Not sure it's a bad thing though,” he commented with a shrug, “You need a plus-one for this little search party?”

“Only one?”

“Yeah. Guile's off 'doing whatever',” he opened his arms wide over his head in an encompassing gesture, “And since I'm not going back into the Maw, I need something to spend the day on.”

“Oh,” she blinked in surprise but broke into a smile and nodded, “Sure, why not. I have no idea what I'm doing anyway so no different from usual.”

“Isn't that how we start all our adventures?” he shrugged with a smirk and she had to nod in agreement.

“It's how I ended up here.”

“And aren't you glad?”

The question was said in a joking manner but it occurred to her that she had hardly stopped to think about its answer. “... Yes. Yes, I am.”

His smirk turned to a wicked grin while the Curator frowned again and tilted her head a little before shrugging it off, showing a small smile instead. “If you're really sure, Harriett said she can show you where his residence was. Perhaps you'll find a clue inside between you.”

“Oh, okay,” Sanoleth answered with some surprise and Denoreth seemed confused as well.

“I didn't think she would care to know.”

“Well, there are some things that a certain Duke has a point about. Mainly causing small amounts of misery in undiscoverable ways,” the Harvester winked, “She'll meet you both at the Old Gate when you're ready.”

Sanoleth nodded and turned to Kenatar while he chewed on a wingclaw, seeming to feel her gaze after a moment once he turned toward her and tilted his head enough to flop his ears over at the same time. “Are you coming too, buddy?”

He perked up and chittered excitedly at the prospect of more time with his master, kneading into her arm with his claws to display his happiness and she was grateful for the bracer taking the brunt of the sharpness. She threw the rubber ball back to the Curator who caught it expertly with a little laugh at the dismayed squeak. He would have it back before too long and as the Harvester disappeared in the usual red whirlwind Sanoleth turned to her brother who was now looking out toward the castle. It still stood tall as the epicenter of the realm, but it seemed somewhat diminished. Once bright, haunting lights in every window were reduced to candle flames and the ominous dark presence was now barely discernible in the air, the only piece of its former glory being its natural appearance of gold edges, iron trellises and perfect brickwork. The giant gargoyle maintained its silent vigil toward Sinfall without pause or seeming disparity despite the absence of its master and unfeeling through the drought. Denoreth slowly shook his head with a grumble then turned to her and gestured out into the Ward.

“After you?”

With a nod and smile she gently took his arm and pressed Kenatar onto her other shoulder to some protesting clicks, guiding them toward the elevator down into the Chalice District. The chains creaked as it stuttered its way toward the ground and gave her some opportunity to notice that, stood directly next to him, a previously noticeable height difference had become almost indiscernible. He noticed her staring and raised an eyebrow, seemingly unaware of the change so she just smirked and shrugged. It wouldn't matter until she could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with Renathal anyway and she took the distraction of the elevator stopping to jump ahead of him and breaking into a run.

“Race ya!”

There was hardly time to hear the surprised yell as Kenatar let out an excited shriek and jumped out to join them, flapping his wings for momentum to try and get ahead of her once Denoreth's footsteps started to speed up. The streets were oddly quiet but it made for a clear running track through the district, cobblestones hitting her feet at difficult angles but she refused to lose to a stonebat and her brother. The only disapproving glares came from behind shuttered windows and the occasional stoneborn guard giving them grumbles on the way by, not even slowing the closer they got to the Old Gate with Kenatar just ahead and no idea where Denoreth was. Turning to look would mean slowing down so that wasn't an option, pounding the pavement as the stonebat half-closed his wings to become more streamlined with a small whistle starting around his wingtips. It was more annoying that it was actually working as he pulled ahead little by little and she tried to put in her own burst of speed- but her stamina wasn't limitless and it turned out the other side of the castle was quite far indeed. Bursting out into the Redelav District and starting down the ramps meant she couldn't beat the stonebat's ability to fly over the ridiculously tall hedges, so once she arrived huffing and puffing to the dark figure wearing an amused smile Kenatar was already screeching his triumph and flying laps around the hamlet.

“I find myself uncertain whether or not challenging a flying creature was one of your better or worse ideas,” the Harvester commented with a sly edge, only able to respond with a generally dismissive wave of her arms as she hunched over to catch her breath.

Denoreth had been taking his time it seemed, only using a speed walk and he seemed perfectly content once he arrived alongside them and nodded to the Accuser, only shrugging when Sanoleth straightened up with an infuriating grin. “What? You shot off like a bullet trying to chase your bat. I figured I wasn't keeping up with you anytime soon so why waste the energy.”

“That's the point of a race!” she exclaimed breathlessly.

“Yes, and you had one. With him,” he jabbed his thumb at the stonebat that had landed on a nearby barrel and was grooming himself in the radiance of victory.

Sanoleth just sighed with her caught breath before clicking her teeth and holding an arm for Kenatar to fly to. With a trilling chirp he arrived and gently landed all too happy to soak up the attention of head pats and scratches.

“Good boy. When we get back I'll see about a treat, would that be a good reward? Hmm?” she teased as he fluttered onto her shoulder with a happy screech.

“If you're quite ready now?” the Accuser cut in with a curt yet amused tone, “I do hope you do not expect me to sprint with such fervor.”

“I think you're safe.”

She let out a single huff that was either laughter or a badly disguised scoff before gesturing back up the stairs toward the Redelav District and starting out along the path. Turning to Denoreth, he merely shrugged before following suit so she brought up the rear on their quest into the quiet hamlet. Perhaps it had been the Accuser's presence outside the Halls that had made the nobles retreat inside, yet the flash of watching red eyes from doorways and windows was more than noticeable to her. Perhaps they weren't trying to hide their disdain at the mortal visitors or maybe it was something to do with the Countess, either way Sanoleth kept close to the others and tried to hold her head high for the several-minute walk until they reached the section that joined onto the Menagerie where a single house stood off to the side. The garden was overgrown with rose bushes and the singular overhanging tree had its branches obscuring the upper windows ,usually bright with candlelight now dim in its abandoned state. It seemed Chamberlain either had no house or was so hated by them that they hadn't come to look after his estate. The Accuser however was approaching with an amount of caution as she slowed her pace the closer to the closed wooden door she got, eventually stopping by the mailbox at the bottom of the stairs and folding her arms with Denoreth next to her.

Kenatar made a small crooning noise and huddled closer to her ear under the house's impassive weight, the hairs on the back of her neck standing up once she reached and ascended the few stairs to place a hand gently on the door frame. A wave of cold made her shiver suddenly and the watching no longer came from far-away windows and through blinds, but from right in front of her. The house itself was taking her stock and seemed tired of odd strangers coming to bother it, though the sense of power she shared with Renathal seemed to make it somewhat interested. It wanted to know what she wanted from an old, tired, unkempt villa such as itself.

“Your master stole something from my mate. I wish to find what he did with it and I think the answer is somewhere here,” she answered with a small infusion of her voice.

It seemed to chew over her words for a long while, creaks and groans of wood and metal from inside seemed to be its own way of trundling around for a potential answer. When that didn't work the presence turned back to glancing between her and the Harvester, seemingly uninterested in much else. It had orders of course. Orders to listen to until its master returned.

“Your master is dead.”

A shaking rumble came this time, unexpected and in some amount of shock at the statement before resettling into something akin to... relief? He didn't treat it well, used more as storage and rest than a home or desired abode. Yes, it was surprised, but not exactly unexpected. This one wanted entry for information, then it asked for a return: that someone more attentive called it home.

“I can't do that, the most I can promise is that I'll speak with the Countess.”

It didn't like that answer but seemed to feel the truth of her words, the creaking whine of stretching wood from within going on for a long time until it came to a decision. A series of thunks from behind the door and then a simple click and the door opened just a crack, enough so she could gently push it open and see the now-fallen armoire that had apparently been holding it shut. Taking slow steps inside and sending out an orb of light to illuminate the dark, boarded windows that she could see now, the entrance seemed to be the cleanest room of all aside from the armoire. A thick layer of dust rested on the wood panel flooring and kicked up with each step, the noise reverberating and added to once Denoreth and the Accuser joined her just as cautiously. There was an odd acrid smell in the air she couldn't identify either but it seemed to grow stronger as she trod through the far doorway and held the light out to cover as much space as possible, only to reveal a perfectly fine living room complete with table set and even a chessboard on one side with a large crimson-felted sofa in front of a fireplace on the other. Aside from the boarded windows it seemed perfectly normal and somehow that made it worse.

“Doesn't seem like the sort of place I'd expected when you described him, San,” Denoreth's confusion was just as evident.

“Yeah. There's something else going on here.”

“There is more here,” the Accuser stated in a melancholic tone, “This scent is of rotting souls. Try to find a way down if you can.”

Sanoleth nodded and pressed on nearer the fireplace wall where there was another door, the room brightening up a little more as the Harvester cast out her own red orb of light and split it into the waiting wall torches that flickered into flame on contact. Kenatar made a low chittering noise in her ear and huddled even closer once she reached out for the handle and pushed. The plume of overpowering acidity almost made her gag the instant air hit the indoors and pushed the staleness outward, even hearing Denoreth cough with a disgruntled noise and it seemed the Accuser was the only one able to somewhat hold her posture. She gently pressed Sanoleth out of the way and began her way down the stairs with practised wariness. Her brother came up to her shoulder while holding his nose and only breathing through his mouth that made Kenatar begin to squeak in laughter as she was forced to do the same, the unruly bat flitting off her shoulder and hovering forward so they could follow after. It was essentially the same layout as a crypt where the stairs doubled back on themselves and once they emerged into the basem*nt the smell made a lot more sense.

The Accuser was knelt by a withered soul chained to a steel rung on the damp wall, looking so frail it looked like it could have collapsed in on itself at any moment and barely letting out more than a wisp of anima. The Harvester's face appeared calm but Sanoleth knew that look in her eyes, one that had been there when initially confronted by their captor. The hidden tempest that was barely tethered by sensibilities. Looking around showed there was a total of five souls, all chained and in similar states with one in the far corner huddled in on itself shaking and muttering in whispers to nobody in particular. She quickly split her orb of light into seven smaller orbs and sent them out across the room to add something into the complete darkness and saw Kenatar trying to bite at one of the rungs with its soul looking on in interest so she went to try and help. The greeting from its shapeless form was a half-hearted nod once she knelt down and pulled the stonebat away, resting him on the floor with a concerned chirp as Denoreth crossed the room to look at another. The ring wasn't reinforced but the chain itself had the trace of red running through it revealing it was sinvyr reinforced, frowning while reaching for it where the ore reacted to her touch with a string of red that frightened the poor soul still attached to it. Swiftly pulling back and holding her hands up it seemed to realise she didn't mean to hurt it, though still it curled up and watched her more closely as she turned back to the rung itself.

“I could pull these out of the wall but I can't see a way to break or undo the chains,” she said aloud.

“Me neither,” Denoreth confirmed, “Not sure even Guile could do something about them.”

“I can, but not here,” the Accuser said as she got to her feet, “Your strength exceeds mine, Sanoleth. Please free them however you can.”

She was somewhat surprised by the plea but nodded and turned back to inspect the rung meeting the chain. There was definitely no reaction that suggested it too had sinvyr, no telltale red unlike her hand on the chain and certainly no smelting streaks, so she put one boot against the wall, wrapped the chain around her hand while placing her fingers into the rung itself and pulled. The steel bent immediately and it took far less force than she expected to snap it and fall to the ground letting out a noise of both pain and bewilderment before sitting up and shaking it off.

“Ouch, that took barely anything!” she exclaimed as the soul reached out to gently pat her arm and Kenatar let out a squeal of alarm.

“Funny 'cus I can't get it to snap like that,” Denoreth snorted as she turned to find him tugging at it in a similar fashion only to notice that it was indeed barely moving under his applied force.

“Then perhaps Renathal gains his strength from Sanoleth and not the other way around,” the Accuser commented slyly and she felt her cheeks turn hot at the insinuation.

Her instinct was to refute it but she stopped herself and bit her tongue before going to help the soul at her side and set herself against the floor instead of the wall this time. The steel began to scream again as it bended under the strain and soon snapped in similar fashion though without bowling her over this time, handing the chain to the Accuser and going to free the rest. Denoreth was still pulling at his with the encouraging shrieks of her stonebat jumping up and down in place flapping his wings as if giving the mental energy to break it, so as any good sister would she left him to it and pulled the other two rungs out of the walls being careful around the one already huddled up. The only pieces of its mumbles she could make out was something about 'depravity' and 'instability', neither things she could help with aside from breaking it free as well and laying the chain gently away from it before going to stop her brother embarrassing himself further. The Harvester made quick work of gathering souls aside from the loner and tugged them gently toward the stairs even while Sanoleth frowned and folded her arms, only moving once Kenatar jumped onto her shoulder and nuzzled against her ear.

“I will come back for this one as it requires a more delicate handling. You should be safe enough to discover whatever evidence it is you hope to find. Good luck,” she said before guiding her menagerie up the stairs gently clinking along the way.

Her heart rose a little knowing they would be in good hands instead of rotting through the floorboards, yet it now left them in a strange house with no idea what she was actually looking for. Well, she was sure she'd know it if she saw the ring, but right now that wasn't a lot to go on. Denoreth gently led her back upstairs to the two homerooms, then waited patiently for his orders while Kenatar went back to preening his claws.

“I'll be honest, I'm not sure what we want from here,” she admitted and he rolled his eyes, “I mean I know what it looks like but not if it's here or what. It could be anywhere by now.”

“Then let's hope he was so prideful he kept it as a trophy,” Denoreth suggested with a dark smirk, “I'll look in here after I help you pick up those drawers, might as well ransack the place since he's not exactly coming back.”

He pointed to the fallen armoire and it took one good heave to get it back on its feet and trundled against the wall so the door could open properly again. It was suspiciously empty once it was righted and they searched its contents so the weight was all of its own. Denoreth seemed perplexed but just shrugged and left her to it while Kenatar jumped onto it with a chitter and decided it was his new perch for the day. The opportunity to look around fully for hiding spots of literally anything revealed a series of high shelves nearly against the ceiling, each with their own set of lockboxes that were probably too awkward for her stonebat to carry down and seemed to have complex puzzle-locks instead of keys. Possibly so they couldn't be stolen and opened immediately for the contents to be used against Chamberlain.

“Bet if I was a venthyr I wouldn't have a problem,” the bitterness in her mutter stained the air as she turned to the nearby bookshelf next to the windows and began to rummage through that instead.

Tilting them away before opening in case they were somehow rigged, they were surprisingly mundane in nature. Romance novellas, excerpts of Denathrius's edicts, efficient ways to extract anima without caring about pain -which explained the poor soul beneath them- and proper clothing etiquette, her eyebrow getting higher the longer she went through them before sighing and placing them back into the dusty shelf. The ones over her head drew her attention again and she bit her lip before looking at the far doorway for any sign of her brother. Judging by the rumbles and thunks he was preoccupied trying to move something else so her only audience was Kenatar's curious wide eyes. So, closing her eyes and drawing on the power of the medallion which was watching with quiet amusem*nt, the anima rushed through her veins in its pursuit to change her into something greater. She had to clamp her mouth shut at the rushing river burning its way in its quest to reshape the nightborne, seeming to sense her need for haste where the agonising process went from taking minutes to being over in a few seconds. As if she needed more proof it took pleasure in controlling the process. Fighting the urge to admire the metamorphosis Sanoleth swiftly reached up to grab the lockboxes rather easily and set about placing them on the floor beneath their spots above. Twelve in all of the same make and size, large enough to fit three books flat on the bottom of each and they came up to half way of her extended shin, yet the puzzles were all different from each other and it made her frown. There was a small part of her that was glad she bought Renathal his own impossible puzzles so she had an understanding of what the lever was for, hunching it onto her knee and squinting in the low light while gently pushing it and pricking her ears up for the tell-tale clicks of twisting locks inside. It wasn't long before her tongue poked out and Kenatar came to flutter by her feet with curious squeaks at each sound he could hear over her. Left, up, left, down, left, left, up -no that didn't click- down, left, up, left, left, clank. The noise was satisfying and she felt a little burst of pride at undoing it so easily, letting her ears wiggle with a smile and Kenatar let out a triumphant cry of his own. Instead of opening it immediately though, once again aware of even more traps, she pointed the lid away from them both and slowly pried it open. The only things that fell out were a series of rolled up scrolls that scattered out across the floor so she assumed it was safe to set it down to reveal another series of papers packed up tight and bound in twine to turn them into something like a manual. She tugged the first one free while Kenatar used his head and wings to herd the scrolls back toward her and flipped it open for a quick glance, thumbing through the pages for something of interest. It wasn't until the third of roughly six tightly-packed manuals that she heard a much louder thunk close by and jumped to her feet to reach for a weapon only to realise it was Denoreth standing staring at her in complete shock.

“What?”

He didn't answer verbally, merely managed to wave a finger in a circle around her general direction until he could find his voice. “Did you... die in here and I missed it?”

“No?” she frowned deeper and looked down at herself as it took a moment to set in, “Oh! Right... I couldn't reach the shelves.”

“This wasn't made in two seconds,” he quickly recovered and sucked in his lip as he thought, “Has he seen this?”

“Yes.”

“Has she seen this?”

“... no.”

“Then you should probably dress it down, you never know when she'll be back for the last soul. And we're definitely talking about this later.”

There was an odd twinge in his voice as he kneeled to pick up the box he'd dropped and brought it alongside her own collection, this one with an oddly normal keylock that he hadn't found the other half to yet. Reluctantly cutting off the transformation spell and regretting the loss as the anima began to trace its way back through her mind to Dominion, Sanoleth sighed and set the bundles inside her lockbox before putting it back down on the floor. Denoreth was looking all over his own for any other way in than a key while she began to mess with a tiled lock pressing them in each in sequence with a small amount of hope it might pop open and Kenatar poked around the next one with small curious trills. She took her time with the lock to really figure out its intricacy, a several-layered series of pressure plates that had to be pushed just delicately enough for the locks inside to tumble open, revealing yet more stacks of papers. These appeared to be stacks upon stacks of receipts, from anima exchanges to purchasing new clothing and more, an idea came to mind so she sat cross legged and began to file them all into different relevant piles.

“Fine something?” Denoreth asked as he read the ones closest to him.

“Maybe. I'm hoping one of these might give me a clue anyway, otherwise I have to filter through all these other boxes,” she grimaced at the thought.

“This was your idea.”

“That doesn't mean it was a good one.”

He chuckled and set aside his box to help her shuffle through them all, grabbing a handful and making his own piles while Kenatar balanced himself on the lid carefully and watched them closely. The ones she had showed no implication of selling or trading a ring, only buying everything and anything that existed. A lot was in the familiar robotic scrawling of the Brokers and she secretly hoped they didn't have it because they took everything to worlds that would find such things as exotic keepsakes with no questions asked. Eventually they ended up back-to back with the box beside them and passing each other receipts to be sorted into appropriate piles on either side, and that was how the Accuser found them once she eventually returned. Her presence arrived before she herself did and that was probably something to do with the lack of nobles in the streets, only knowing she herself had arrived by the sudden darkening of the light she was using to read before looking up to find her bemusedly looking between them and gesturing to the boxes.

“How did you get these down?”

“I gave her a boost,” Denoreth answered before she could stutter something out and quickly nodded instead.

“I see.”

Her heart started to pound as she swallowed and went back to sorting so she hopefully wouldn't notice anything too off, but given how observant the Harvester was it was probably futile. Still, she didn't say anything more, merely inclined her head and walked by them to find the other huddling soul. The quiet was only broken by whispers from downstairs and eventually they had sorted every piece of paper in the box with no trace of anything alluding to a ring or accessories that fit her imagined description, so she pulled a new one forward, quickly undid the lever-lock, and they went about the same trail again. It took several minutes until she noticed Denoreth hadn't handed her anything in a short while so she turned to try and look over his shoulder at the one he was holding.

“Everything okay?”

“I'm not sure. It feels like it has an enchantment or something,” he replied with a hint of worry.

“Can you tell what it is?”

“Not really.”

He passed it over with some trepidation and the instant it hit her fingers she knew what it was. A glamour had been cast over the paper waiting for the right set of hands to touch it where it shattered into arcane glass and revealed its truth. It was his turn to twist around at the noise and peer over her shoulder as Kenatar jumped into her lap at the same time, gently scratching his head while reading over the paper.

Enra's Exchange Emporium

Trades of all kinds for unwanted and disused items!

Exchange: Gentleman's Corset- Crimson cloth, Gold thread........ 3 Tithecoins

Exchange: Overcoat- Crimson cloth, Gold thread...... Overcoat- Burgundy Cloth, Silver thread

Exchange: Ring- Silver, Emerald (Tested and Approved)........ 10 Tithecoins

Exchange: Ring- Silver, Emerald (Tested and Approved)........ 10 Tithecoins

Total: 23 Tithecoins

Overcoat

Thank you for using our Exchange Emporium

If you find any issues or are unhappy with your purchases, visit us in the Old Gate.

“Two?” she scoffed incredulously, “What the- where did the second one come from?”

“So these are we want, but there's an extra?”

“Yes. I didn't know there was another one! Wait, unless...” it took a moment for her brain to tick over on what little she held of the memory, “Oh you little rat-”

She stopped herself but the anger bubbled under the simmering surface as she took a breath and shook her head. Denoreth reached over and clasped her shoulder with a frown but she shrugged him off and picked up Kenatar so she could get to her feet.

“Come on, let's find this Emporium. And pray they don't want twenty Tithecoins back cus I only know where to find one,” she rubbed her back and then waved the receipt around, “That being said I have no idea where it is or what it looks like.”

“It's in the Old Gate, it says so,” he scoffed as he pushed himself up.

“I get that much, genius. There's a whole host of store-fronts down there but I don't remember them having signs or anything. The only reason I found the one I was looking for the first time is because she spotted the letter I had.”

“Then maybe they'll recognise the receipt?” he suggested, “Or we can ask the Accuser.”

She bit her lip and tried to push away the trepidation at the thought. It was still difficult to be near the Harvester truth be told but she had to get over whatever it was that caused her so much anxiety all the time in her presence. She probably would know since their Wards were next to each other so it made sense to ask. Sanoleth nodded once and he took the lead to creep down the stairs and find her knelt gently by the side of the soul that had stopped quivering, now sat gently against the wall with its hands in the Accuser's while she whispered encouragingly next to them until it stiffened up and turned to the stairs. She followed their gaze and frowned a little before getting its attention again and gesturing between the chain, them and the holes in the walls where its fellows had been. They nodded ever so slowly and relaxed just a touch, enough that the Accuser got to her feet and seemed happy enough to leave them just long enough to reach the stairs.

“Is there something amiss?” she asked and folded her arms.

“Not exactly. We wondered if you knew something about an Emporium,” Sanoleth explained as she held out their finding.

Her eyes narrowed the further down she read until she reached the portion about two rings where there was suddenly a spark that she hadn't seen before. The arms came undone and she took the paper for a closer look, nodding slowly and then returning it as she cleared her throat.

“Yes I know where it is. You will have walked past it, Sanoleth. All the way near the furthest edge of the Old Gate, where the bazaar you found meets the wall, there is a stall with purple cloth hung from its roof. That is the one you want. Be careful around Enra... She is known to ask for rather exorbitant prices for pieces she is loathe to part with,” the legendary scowl that came with those words had Sanoleth wondering if she herself had once tried to get something from the Emporium.

Not that it mattered to her brother who immediately chained himself onto her arm and began to drag her back up into the house. She had no idea what the sudden rush was but with Kenatar screeching happily behind her and Denoreth refusing to slow down, she quickly regretted the earlier race. People were finally back out in the streets albeit few and far between, just enough that they could skirt around without stepping on anyone's toes but the disapproving glares were still coming from all over. They passed the previous meeting ground where he finally slowed enough for her to take in where they were: Thornhill Manor on their left had the sinrunners outside being taken care of by a small figure that waved their way and she returned it by instinct, while on their right was the sprawling bazaar she had once visited to find another patron of the manor. He picked his way down the stairs carefully into the plaza with her close behind, recognising precious few shops as she held the receipt tight and rolled her shoulders back to stand taller and set her jaw. Casting her gaze about as they moved, Denoreth looked around more with wonder than actual searching for the one they wanted.

Trinkets and baubles adorned most of the shelves for the small stalls that grabbed Kenatar's attention once he roosted on her shoulder, only a precious few with gems and jewels of note but the venthyr that ran them seemed nonplussed by their presence which felt like a difference from how she last remembered things. Her heart was running quicker the closer toward the wall they came, picking through some milling buyers that didn't give them a second glance while she squinted for the tell-tale difference in the swath of black and crimson. She pointedly quick-marched away from the one dessert stand she saw in the corner of her eye before Denoreth spotted it, eventually coming out into a circular space with a reliquary in its middle behind which stood a rather busy building instead of a stall, stopping at its front with a large, royal-purple silk overhang.

“This must be it,” she noted with the gathering of venthyr turning in and out between each other.

“Seems like a busy place,” he noted before grabbing her free shoulder and turning her toward one of the windows with a surprised squeak from the stonebat as he lowered his voice, “Is that them?”

Following the trail of his pointed finger she saw what he was looking at – and something behind her heart lurched suddenly. Two rings, identical at first look, were glittering outward into the low light of the bazaar, outfit with large square emeralds to fit in even bigger silver rings that she knew wouldn't fit any regular venthyr. The emeralds had been carved with the sigil of the venthyr while the silver itself had been filagreed into spirals around the edges. And sat next to them was a third, similar-sized ring, this one with a square onyx and a far darker metal that might have been actual steel- but the engraving was one only she would have recognised with the wings spread into a crescent shape.

“Oh good grief,” she said out loud with a sigh.

“What?”

“The one next to them is the Architect's ring.”

“... I'm not sure we'd be able to sway for three,” he replied with a frown.

“I don't know how we're going to sway for two.”

“Excuse me!” a curt voice suddenly cut through the crowd as a venthyr in a well-dressed black suit approached them and bowed, “You are the Veilstrider, yes? And I assume you to be her sibling?”

They looked at each other for a moment before she nodded and bowed in return. “I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure...?”

“Of course, this is your first time to the Emporium. The Lady remembers every face that passes through our humble shop,” the toothy smile he gave in return somehow wasn't reassuring, “My name is Aranami. I act as the servant between the shop and Lady Enra. She would invite you both upstairs if you are willing, with the understanding that you are here on business.”

The two exchanged a look which only made Denoreth shrug. Understandable, considering they were here for her, but Kenatar's nervous foot-padding against her shoulder was giving her doubts. To invite them in gave the stranger the advantage. But then, they were the ones with what she wanted, so she wasn't exactly in a position to gain leverage.

“We would be honoured to,” she eventually answered with a smile.

“Excellent! If you would follow me,” he gestured into the crowd that had taken notice and began pushing them inside in a gentle yet insistent manner.

The pair went after him before the gap closed and Kenatar shuffled himself to hide right into her neck with a low squeak, moving up her hand to fuss him gently while being led through rows of chest-high shelves encased in glass protecting all kinds of things. Fancy necklaces, old containers with varying styles of head-shaped stoppers, old dresses and suits she assumed used to be the fashion for venthyr, and more devices she didn't know what they could possibly be for. Weaving through the bodies eventually led them to a stone spiral staircase that led up to what seemed like many floors as they cautiously followed the butler, Sanoleth cast out her mind for the Curator who already seemed to be on edge as they connected and she came to understand why. Enra looked like she could have walked out from the latest venthyr fashion catalogues and seated herself in a brown leather chair that appeared spotless. The metal trimmings had been polished to a shine and the wooden feet were firmly planted on tiny white claws holding flattened spheres to keep to the floor, a chair that was loved if nothing else. And, she realised as her eyes darted about the room, perfectly positioned to see everyone outside including two mortals seemingly lost. There was a small circular table large enough for a tray of tea and perhaps a small one of food while the main desk sat at the back of the room just off from the long, red-black square patterned rug that covered most of the stone flooring.

“Ah, excellent. Thank you, Aranami, you are excused for now,” her voice was thankfully less shrill than she was expecting.

He bowed to Enra before nodding to the both of them and swiftly heading back below, leaving the four of them alone in the room where Kenatar was oddly quiet huddled into the crook of her neck. Resisting the urge to comfort him, she instead deployed a practised smile and curtsied with Denoreth thankfully following suit.

“I assume you to be Lady Enra?” she asked in her sweetest voice.

“Oh yes. And I know all about the two of you, with the exception of why you have seen fit to grace my humble Emporium,” Enra noted as she padded her fingers against each other and took her time looking them both over.

Sanoleth returned the favour in the space of a few seconds, noting her pristine hair was pulled back into two buns coloured blonde but she could see the silver poking out at the very roots on her scalp, fingernails giving the tell-tale wedges that came with a thorough manicure, and she seemed to take rather a lot of pride in her unwrinkled dress as well. Dark orange eyes tried to pierce into her own with little success but it was becoming more obvious exactly why the Accuser was in disdain about them seeing her. She smacked of enough pride that it was probably taxing not to jump her and throw her into the Halls for another round of expunging the sin.

“I am looking for an important object that was taken from the Prince before he was cast into the Maw. I believe you have it in your window,” she said carefully, observing the slight brow raise and then the cast of gaze to the paper in her hand.

“Indeed? And I take this to be something of interest to back up your claim?”

Stepping slowly forward toward the venthyr, she held out the receipt flat on her palm that was accepted gingerly and twisted so she could peer at it. Sanoleth mused internally at how easy it was to read this woman despite her obvious second-nature at hiding nearly everything for the sake of appearing the ever-savvy businesswoman, the slight up-tick of her mouth and barest squint showing the delight that she presently held the most important cards. She kept her head high while waiting for the lady's answer in pause, only moving slightly so Kenatar could fuss his way to hang from her back in uncharacteristic silence along with the noise of Denoreth's shuffling. The slight movement of Enra's mouth dropped back into practised neutrality once she brought it down again and went back to lock eyes with her.

“I see, I do remember this transaction with one Lord Chamberlain. He came to me insisting they were part of a set and I am no fool. Those rings were obviously too large for a normal venthyr's hands and I am willing to part with them... if you wouldn't mind playing a little game between you both,” Enra said in a light tone.

“What kind of 'game'?”

“You are aware the Prince and the Curator are also siblings, so I wonder how well you both know each other. I would merely ask you both a series of questions and see how well your answers about yourselves and one another line up.”

Sanoleth allowed a raise of her eyebrow. “And if they do?”

“Then I shall give them to you. But I also suspect that you have interest in another, the price of which we can discuss personally afterward.”

Sanoleth let out a thoughtful hum. Her instinct was to refuse, depending on what she asked the obvious ploy seemed to be fishing for information that would be useful to hold over her head once she eventually joined them. Turning her head enough to see her brother, he had crossed his arms and appeared to be staring intently until he noticed and merely shrugged. His way of saying it was her choice really.

“Alright. How do we play this game?” she asked.

“Excellent! Well, your brother can wait outside and close the door with the trust and understanding that he will not eavesdrop while we speak, then we reverse you both and I see how your answers align,” Enra clasped her hands with a victorious smile.

Sanoleth twisted again for Denoreth's opinion but she had the general feeling he wasn't bothered by much here as opposed to her stonebat, still hanging on her back by wingclaw and talons. He seemed to take it as a cue to move outside however and promptly turned around and left back down the stairs to the shop floor, perhaps to look around for himself or merely stay out of the way. Enra seemed to relax immediately as soon as he was gone, her shoulders lowered a noticeable amount and she put her feet out to cross in front of her as she threw a scrutinising glance over the nightborne that remained.

“So. Why are you really here?”

She blinked and raised her eyebrow again. “To find Renathal's signet ring.”

“But why?”

It took a moment until it clicked, then she could only smile. “I'll let you make your guesses.”

The lady let out a small smile and moved her thumbs in semblance of a shrug. “I have to try. Now my true question is: as close as the both of you are, why did you come here to the Shadowlands?”

“I came to pursue my father's soul. I think Denoreth followed me so that I wouldn't have to do it alone.”

“And saving your world?”

“Is a nice side effect.”

Her eyes widened a moment before she caught herself and let out a thoughtful hum. “Indeed? And meeting the Prince?”

“Was a journey of its own.”

The venthyr seemed to realise any details on that behalf would be entirely scarce, so straightened up and nodded slowly. “Then why do you journey together so? Do you have no home to return to?”

“Yes, our mother looks after it. Or... she did. We don't usually start together but when you're in the same place you cross paths eventually. I suppose it wouldn't feel the same if he didn't turn up somehow,” Sanoleth squinted a little in thought, “We've been through a lot together. Things nobody else could understand.”

“Like Rage.”

“Would you say you regretted letting it in?”

“... No, I don't think so,” she answered as she shifted her stiff legs and crossed her arms, “He asked a terrible price, but for what I asked it seemed fair. I hated every second of it but... there are some things you can rationalise and some you can't. So I dedicated my life to do what I could for those who found themselves in my position and Denoreth saw it as a chance to explore the world that we'd suddenly been exposed to. Where I tried not to get too close, he would go bounding off in excitement over everything.”

“Were you not interested in the world?”

“I was, but not in the same way. I was trying to stay away from everything, to observe from afar as it were. Denoreth isn't like that. He wanted to get into the nitty-gritty of anywhere that wasn't Suramar.”

“Then finding yourself enmeshed with us must have been a jarring change.”

“No. I've done this song and dance before, it was just slipping the mask back on.”

“Oh? Suramar is not so different then?”

“It felt more like the practice wheels for Revendreth if nothing else. I had an idea of the ropes but without the help of my friends it would have been an embarrassing stumble to find the proper way to act. Especially in front of someone like the Countess.”

“Yes, her perception holds much weight in venthyr society,” Enra nodded, “Yet I notice that your brother does not act the same.”

“He doesn't really care that much. Feels like he did his time in the courts and isn't willing to go back which I respect.”

“But you still enjoy it?”

“I find that good company makes it more bearable. And good tea.”

That comment seemed to pull an actual smile from the trader. “Yes, good tea. Having Duke Theotar back was certainly a boon for the Prince's court. He is your Soulbind as well, yes? Do you think your brother has any?”

“I don't know,” she answered after a moment and frowned, “If he does, it might be Nadjia after their... games. He tends to enjoy his own brand of quiet so maybe not.”

“Hmm. And the company he keeps was similar to your own?”

“He has the option of being able to disconnect where I didn't.”

“And did that make you jealous?”

She spent a moment to think about it. Was jealous the right word? Maybe, since when he was angry with Guile they could go their separate ways, but she didn't get that luxury. Always Rage had been lurking under the surface. Waiting for its moments to unleash terror onto reality using her body as its conduit.

“I don't think I'd call it jealousy, but I definitely wished I could do them same. I can't be jealous of him when I know what he went through like no other.”

“I think I could believe that. How do you think he would cope if he suddenly found himself without his erstwhile companion?”

A longer pause to think this time. Denoreth and Guile were sometimes at odds but always went back to one another. Perhaps out of necessity, but the fact was that they were never apart for very long at all. The yin and yang of one another.

“He would be okay. There would be times he missed Guile, but he would carry on just fine.”

“And do you think they have opinions on your relationship with the Prince?”

Sanoleth blinked and let the confusion show. “Doesn't everyone?”

“What do you think his is?” Enra pressed a little and she noticed her lips turn slightly thinner, apparently wondering how she skipped over the plainer meaning.

“I think he's happy for me. And I think he's keeping a wary eye open.”

The venthyr leaned back in her chair and shifted her hands out of her lap to now out in front of her, tilting her head ever so slightly to mull the information over. She wasn't certain what questions she had been expecting, though the thought of perhaps being information gathering for future leverage had crossed her mind, yet the trader didn't strike her as that sort of person. Perhaps it was an attempt to recoup something of value to replace what she may yet lose to them both.

“Very well,” Enra suddenly said out of her reverie, “You may go below and fetch your brother from his shelf-staring. Feel free to browse to your heart's content and I shall have my butler fetch you when it is time to return.”

Sanoleth inclined her head respectfully before turning to leave, then having to wrestle with Kenatar in his haste to flutter to the other side away from the venthyr until he was safely wrapped in her arms leaving her even more confused. Getting to the shop floor and squinting around found Denoreth outside peering into the window where the rings were displayed with an odd look on his face, a mixture of thoughtful seriousness that was rare for him. Once she stepped out he looked up and replaced it with a smirk though.

“All done?”

“Yeah, she's ready for you now. The shop seems to have quieted down.”

“Turns out when you argue with the shopkeep about the fairness of an exchange everyone tries to make themselves scarce,” he chuckled in response, “Anything I should be worried about?”

“She seems interested in you and Guile. And your opinion of me and Renathal.”

“I guess that makes sense. Hopefully I won't be too long, there's some stuff here you'll like and think Renathal wouldn't be happy if you spent the entire day here,” he gave a knowing grin as he brushed past her and headed where she came from.

She was left to scoff in his wake and shake her head, peering at the rings he had taken to staring at as well while the stonebat in her arms shuffled around to hop onto the overhang and made a little squeaking noise. Expect he was staring mesmerised at the Architect's ring, tilting his head all the way to both sides and gently clawing at the window as if to pick it up.

“That's not why we're here, Ken,” she said gently and placed her hand to pat between the floppy ears, “we want the other ones for the Curator and Renathal. She said we could talk about that one but it'll probably be for more Tithecoins than I can get my hands on.”

“T'is rare to hear such selflessness in a place such as this.”

The new voice startled her as she whipped up and around with her arm out in a defensive stance before letting out a relieved sigh. “Oh, it's you Idrahan. What're you doing out here? Did one of the gargons go for a run after a loose soul?”

“Nothing of the sort,” he chuckled, “Though I see someone is on edge.”

“I don't really know what to expect out here,” she shrugged apologetically, moving her hand so Kenatar could bounce onto her arm to investigate the venthyr.

“No, I suppose you wouldn't,” the hopebreaker reached out carefully for the stonebat to sniff his glove, “Enra is not a woman to be trifled with lightly. I was here to pick up a prior purchase, hopefully to return a lost trinket to its rightful owner.”

“Hmm. Seems we're in similar boats then,” Sanoleth noted with a small smile as she turned and nodded toward the window, “I'm hoping we can come to an agreement on the two silver rings. The other one I might have to come back for.”

“Indeed?” Idrahan took a step closer to fuss Kenatar who let out a series of amused squeaks, “They look too large for even my hand, so I can perhaps take an educated guess as to their owners. Did they know the Emporium had them exchanged?”

“I don't think they did.”

The frown on his face turned deep as he let out a grunt of concern, shifting to scratch under the stonebat's chin. “That is... rather odd. It used to be that she would inform the obvious owners if such crossed her desk.”

“They were in the Maw when they were exchanged I think. So maybe they just became centrepieces.”

“Or perhaps she was using them to lure you in as the Prince's mate.”

“... That thought had crossed my mind,” she said as her face soured, “I suppose I'd rather believe the best of people.”

“While noble, it does open you to rather a great many schemes from those that would exploit such a chance,” Idrahan warned, “Venthyr are not mortals, and though we are cleansed of our sins recent events have more than made it known that it is all too easy to fall back into bad habits.”

“Would that Denathrius had taken his head out of his backside long enough to ask if the Jailer was going to betray him.”

He had to hide a snort into a cough but the smirk was there, clearing his throat to regain some composure as he shook his head. “Is there a point in warning you to be careful of your words or are you hoping to attract to some attention?”

“I don't feel like I have much to worry about. What here could possibly worse than spending time in the Maw?”

Idrahan's face shifted as he tried to think of a response, hand paused in his fussing of Kenatar that earned him a nip from the affronted stonebat. Ever the attention vampire, he let out a series of trills once the hand returned under his chin and she couldn't help but laugh.

“You are a silly bat, aren't you?” Sanoleth chastised gently but he didn't seem to care too much, chirping away happily.

“The Prince created him for you, did he not?” Idrahan asked and she nodded, “My understanding is that he never had much patience for stonework. It is an extremely delicate art that often requires mistakes to be redone entirely. It pleases me that making you a companion gave him the strength to sit long enough to find mastery.”

She felt her cheeks redden with the usual tingle around the ears at his words, though if he noticed he didn't say anything. “I suppose... we bring out the unexpected in each other.”

“That I do not think anyone can deny. It is plain as day for everyone except yourselves.”

There was no denying Kenatar's small squeaks of laughter at her expense as she turned away and shook her head. Was that really what people saw? Sanoleth slowly took her hand to make long strokes down the stonebat's back once Idrahan pulled away to greet the sudden appearance of Enra's butler, jumping with an unexpected startle since she hadn't heard any noise or footsteps to herald his arrival. There was a small quirk to his lips as he bowed to them both, straightening up with a practised smile as he gestured inside.

“The lady requests your presence, Veilstrider. And as you can see, your package has arrived in perfect condition, Master Idrahan.”

“Indeed, for which I am grateful. I suppose we shall speak again later, Sanoleth,” the hopebreaker nodded and gave Kenatar one last scratch under the chin before heading inside with her just behind.

Kenatar let out a slightly saddened screech before clawing back along her arm to hide over her back, still entirely baffled why he wanted to roost there but not bothered enough to question it. The best she could assume was that he didn't want to become a shelf decoration, some short statues had caught her eye on the way past but she had no need for them. Her perfect little statue was the best companion she could have wanted and the thought of trying to replace him didn't sit well at all. Once she had ascended the stairs into the office-space showed Denoreth stood with his arms folded but his face didn't show much sign of distress. Rather, he seemed oddly relaxed while Enra was pressing her fingers together by her chin in her thinking pose. Whatever answers she now held were enough to mull over for the moment as she took her place beside Denoreth who shot her a smile and then raised his eyebrow at the errant stonebat where she could only shrug. He held it for a moment then slowly went back to the venthyr who let out a small hum.

“You know Idrahan, Sanoleth?” Enra asked with genuine surprise once she realised she was there.

“Yes. He assists the lieutenant of the hopebreakers as her translator.”

She nodded slowly, taking her time on those words too before finally getting to her feet to stand before them both. “Well. Today has certainly been enlightening. You will be glad to know that both of you gave almost exactly the same answers. There was only one question that you differed on, the very last.”

The siblings turned to look at each with expressions of surprise of concern at the revelation. Was it even the same question? They could have been in any order after all but the venthyr raised a hand for their attention before they could say anything.

“Your sister has much faith in you, Denoreth. As much as you do in her, perhaps more. If nothing else this experience has taught me that mortals do not need such things as Soulbinds to truly know each other, but perhaps that can be attributed to the bond of family,” the lady explained with a wry smirk, “Certainly you are both different from the Prince and the Curator who could not have answered the questions I put before you in similar fashion. Perhaps they would have stumbled into the rightness of it, but certainly would have wavered on more. I feel that I am comfortable to gift you what you came here for.”

Sanoleth felt her heart lift as the words passed her lips and couldn't hide the relieved smile. She bowed respectfully while still hiding the shifting stonebat and Denoreth followed suit, resulting in merely an inclination of the head as a mark of thanks and gesturing for them to turn as she began to walk and spoke over her shoulder toward her.

“I regret to inform you however that a buyer was found earlier for the third ring you showed interest in. It had been on reserve for a while so I felt the need to 'get it gone', as it were. Had they not arrived I would have been open to negotiation however.”

The sour note was a blow but she was getting what she came for, though it did raise the question of who would have bought such a large ring. Unless Renathal had sent an agent that was. Or the curator? It was hard to guess but she hoped she was right.

“That's okay, it would have just been a nice addition to what we already wanted.”

“... How very understanding of you.”

Trying not to let it show on the outside, suspicion set root at the phrase. Were venthyr truly so selfish? Had she been spoiled by those in Sinfall who knew how to control themselves? It was entirely possible given how close they were to the Curator's base of operations. Perhaps in close proximity to Avarice they just couldn't help their natures pushing to the forefront. As they made their way down the stairs it seemed Idrahan had already packed up his purchase and gone, leaving Aranami to clean the shelves with a feather-duster that looked like it had seen better days. Enra snapped her fingers and he disappeared so quickly that she had to blink a few times to understand how had leapt from one side of the shop to the other behind the wooden counter with his plastered smile.

“How might I be of service, my lady?”

“You would have been better staying where you were, my dear Aranami,” her voice was full of bemusem*nt, “These ones have played my game to my perfection, they may claim their prizes.”

“As you wish.”

At a speed perceptible to the naked eye he moved out and took his stride to the front of the shop, leaning through the displays there to remove the two silver rings and now she suddenly felt extremely nervous. At any point during the process this venthyr could have reneged on her word and they weren't out of there yet, fighting to keep her breaths controlled while the butler made his way back to the counter and began to fish for something underneath while keeping them solidly in his grip. Her heart was thumping in her chest and she realised she had tensed up almost as much as Kenatar on her back, nails biting into her palm as she pushed them hard so the pain would keep her grounded. After a minute he pulled out a pair of black felt boxes, cranking them open to put the rings snugly inside the cushioning before wrapping them both into nondescript paper and she was secretly glad that Denoreth stepped forward to retrieve them.

“And with that I believe our business for now is concluded. It was my pleasure to meet and know you both, do inform your fellows in Sinfall that I am open to trade for whatever they wish,” she turned to them with a toothy grin, “Now then! I would think at this time of the day the safest way back would be along the wall instead of the districts. Unless you can take a few leers, that is. I shan't imagine anyone would dare to attack you in the streets.”

“That a good point,” Sanoleth frowned while she tried to think, “Maybe we can get some bats at the Old Gate.”

Denoreth had managed to hide the rings inside each pocket and came to join her with a roll of his shoulders. “Sounds like a plan. We can skirt around the outside of the districts that way too if there aren't any.”

“Okay, we'll do that then. Thank you for your hospitality, Lady Enra.”

“You are both welcome to browse anytime,” the venthyr curtsied in response, “Should you feel yourself in need, do not hesitate to drop by again.”

Sanoleth gestured for her brother to go first while she tried to wrestle Kenatar from her back, wondering how he managed to hold on so expertly as they made their way outside into the street and she could finally let out a breath she had been holding. Her brother gently took her arm to guide them both back out of the bazaar, the only indication of his own discomfort as they navigated through a number of bodies and she held tightly to the stonebat crowing upside-down in her arm after tumbling over her shoulder. He didn't stop all the way through the throng and it began to set her teeth on edge until they came to the Old Gate and he finally released her with a relieved sigh, stopping long enough to help turn Kenatar the right way up and settled into her arms with a rustled squeak.

“Are you okay? What was that about?” she touched his arm gently as he bit his lip in something that looked close to guilt.

“Some of the questions she asked me were... pretty invasive,” he grimaced, “She doesn't like people dancing around questions that's for sure. The last one though, what was it for you?”

“She asked me how you would cope without Guile. I said you would miss it but you'd be okay in the long run.”

Denoreth folded his arms and took a deep breath before nodding. “Yeah, same one then. Except I said I didn't know what would happen without Guile. We've done everything together and being separated from him would feel like I wasn't myself.”

“... I thought that too,” she said after a moment, “I suppose I replaced it with Renathal.”

“And how do you think that you would be without him? That was a question she asked me,” he shook his head bitterly, “I think we've forgotten how to like as just us, San. It isn't easy to think outside of the people we've attached ourselves to, spirit or otherwise.”

Denoreth reached into his pockets one at a time to pass her the rings while she took the time to think over his words. He was right, they chose to replace coping with loss by clinging to any that seemed trustworthy enough regardless of the obvious. A testament to their Warchief, she frowned and sneered at the thought. Stowing the boxes away in her hip pouch, she reached out and pulled her brother into a one-armed hug being careful of Kenatar's perch in the crook of her other arm and he returned it tightly, letting go after a long moment with a sad smile.

“Thank you for coming to help me. I'm sorry it was so hard on you, it wasn't entirely what I was expecting. Maybe it was too much to hope Chamberlain just had them stashed away somewhere in his house so we could have picked them up and left,” she scoffed.

“You're welcome, but next time just invite me along to a physical fight instead of a verbal one, eh?” Denoreth let out his signature grin and it helped her feel at least a little better.

“Sure. Does that mean you want to come to the Maldraxxi tournament? I'm planning on kicking the sh*t out of Nery when I see her so maybe that'll bring you some joy.”

“Oh? In revenge for not telling you?” he chuckled a little as she shrugged, “You know that's not exactly healthy.”

“Well then she shouldn't have sent me a letter condoning that I could,” she replied sarcastically and tugged at his arm toward the flight master, “Come on, before I turn into too nervous a wreck to give these rings back to the right people.”

Sinfall was welcoming once their borrowed stonebats landed in the tunnels, enjoying the thankful pats as Kenatar arrived a minute after them with a shriek of triumph and landed easily on her shoulder. Denoreth let out a long stretch and then a surprised grunt at the investigative nose of Vrednic in his stomach trying to grab the scent of where they'd been. Sanoleth hid her laugh before the giant gargon turned to her and demanded to investigate her hands as well, only satisfied when he let out a loud woof and went to eat the rest of his prepared lunch. Renathal and Theotar weren't in the reach to her surprise, the cauldron bubbling softly under his dredger's attention instead but turning the other way showed Nadjia training the soldiers in her best techniques -only to be thoroughly thrashed when they thought they understood them well enough. She shouldn't smile at their misfortune but it was kind of funny.

“Hey, I'm gonna go grab some food. Want me to make you anything?” Denoreth asked as he patted her shoulder.

“Oh, hmm. I'm not sure I'm hungry yet but thanks for the offer. The dredgers should be able to pull something nice together if you ask, I think the delivery from the brokers finally arrived before we left.”

His eyes lit up as he rubbed his hands together and quickly sprinted off toward the mirror, leaving her to watch after amusedly for a moment then following suit. Once she appeared below it was just in time to catch him disappearing into the other mirror, yet looking across into the Depth had the candlelight within dancing with someone's movement. Her heart started to pick up speed even as Kenatar announced his arrival with his customary chirps and flew ahead to greet the person within.

“Oh, you're back!” the Curator's excited voice was followed with satisfied trills, “But what about your master, hmm? Where did she get to?”

“I'm here,” she announced as she stepped through the door to the smile of the Harvester in return.

“Excellent! Harriett was very worried about sending you off to the Emporium but she figured both of you together would be fine enough. So... did you manage it?” the Harvester seemed like she was trying to hold back the anticipation in her voice even as her eyes were sparkling like expectant stars.

Sanoleth decided to take her sweet time opening the hip-pouch and then extracting the wrapped boxes to place onto her desk, watching the Curator clasp her hands together and do her best to wait patiently once she took the paper off and left the felt boxes behind. She seemed more drawn to the left one, reaching out slowly to pick it up and pry the lid open to reveal the gleaming silver and emerald inside. The range of emotion that crossed her face was so fast in passing she couldn't keep up with them until she settled on... calm. Setting the box back down, the Curator knelt down and pulled her into a tight, secure embrace, so close she could feel every one of the Harvester's ribs with her head cradled into her shoulder. Sanoleth was a little surprised but returned it just as strongly, letting down her mind's walls only for the Curator to share in emotion. The warmth in her chest she was more used to from Renathal ignited almost immediately and she instinctively tightened her grip as the tension that had been held for an unknown amount of time became unwound with an unintentional relaxed growl. The Harvester let out a small chuckle even as she felt her cheeks redden but still clung on anyway, happy that her sister was happy and there was a small tingle of relief from the Accuser that was leaking over.

“Thank you, Sanoleth,” the Curator's voice sounded entirely too small in her ear, “I don't know what we did to deserve you. I wish I did so we could keep doing it. You've become such a blessing to us, I hope you know that.”

Sanoleth could feel the water starting to well in her eyes as she closed them and concentrated on the pervasive warmth, the one feeling her heart desperately craved for and the Curator was willing to give as much as she needed. Somewhere even deeper than that the warmth spread, its tendrils reaching deep for the embers of a long-forgotten spark that was desperate for attention and finally got it. Whether the Harvester knew what was happening or not, the sudden roar of flaming hope made her shiver as the heat radiated outward and back along the tendrils resulting in a sudden surprised gasp from her too.

“Curator?”

“I'm fine!” the Harvester exclaimed as she pulled away and shook her head with a perplexed face, “Whew. I feel... energetic? Tingley? Like...”

“Like you could take on a hundred mawsworn and win?”

“Hmm. Yes,” she nodded slowly and then moved to pat down Sanoleth's arms, “Are you all right? Nothing lingering?”

“I think so. It's not the first time something like that happened,” she shrugged, “It was to Nadjia before. That was how she explained it.”

The Harvester rubbed her chin with a frown and seemed to notice Sanoleth's sudden souring as she started to wring her hands, reaching forward to gently grab her elbows and force the timid nightborne to look up at her. “It's all right. I promise I'm fine, only surprised was all. As surprised as you I would imagine. I'll go and speak to Nadjia when she isn't rapping everyone's knees with her rapier.”

A smirk pulled to her face knowing it was the truth but she still let out a defeated sigh. “I know. I just... you were saying all these nice things and then this happens and I feel like I can't control myself. I don't know what's going on with me anymore and it's scary. It could have done anything and I wouldn't have been able to hold it back at all because it happens so fast.”

“Well, if it's only been to your friends and you say Nadjia was the same, then perhaps you have more control than you think,” the Curator narrowed her eyes as she thought, “To give such bursts of energy to those close to you would say to me that you want to help in some capacity, so perhaps it is jolts of release from the spell that vexes you at the moment. Desperate for release it seeks a friendly nearby soul to receive of it, whether through desperation or just... mutual compassion I suppose. Your nature is to give, so you give.”

“... You have no idea, do you?”

“Nope. But if in doubt, use instinct to figure it out!” she smiled with a flourish of her hand, “Besides, it could be the truth! You don't know either.”

“True enough. If you're really sure you're okay, maybe you can try putting the ring on? Unless that's going to shock you too?”

The Harvester turned to look at it on the table, presently being sniffed by Kenatar with his snout as close as he dared while letting out the barest hint of curious coos until she reached for the box and he suddenly shot across the desk in surprise making Sanoleth snort with laughter. The lingering smile against the Curator's lips stayed put as she grabbed the box and carefully extracted the ring to slide onto her right index finger. Nothing overtly strange seemed to happen, merely a low light that started in the heart of the glinting emerald growing steadily stronger and stronger as they watched until it filled the entire square left a hollow of the engraved sigil. She stared until her brain started to hurt trying to make sense of the effect that felt like she could fall and lose herself among the swirl of shimmering green and black within. The Harvester's nose had scrunched up in that specific way when she was well and truly pleased by something, moving her fingers in a wave to make the light move and then letting it settle.

“Thank you, Sanoleth. I admit to having forgotten that it could do this, but looking at it... evokes memories of using the ring to distract myself when I was often too deep in my thoughts,” she said and made the shimmer shuffle again, “So maybe you were right that Renathal would want it back too. He should still be in his office if you hurry.”

Sanoleth nodded and grabbed the remaining package from the table, giving the Harvester another quick, tight squeeze of appreciation before clicking her teeth for Kenatar's attention and heading for the mirror. He caught her right before the transition point, landing on her shoulder once she pressed a hand to the glass and was transported into the corridors where the low scent of spice tickled at her nose. After spending the day outside it felt like a nice welcome return to familiar surrounds and she was happy enough to follow its trail. The way to the office didn't pass by the kitchen but she could certainly smell the cooking meat and the very low sizzle of a frying pan so it seemed Denoreth had managed to find something to eat and her stomach was on the verge of growling. A twinge of regret about not taking him up on his offer as she bit her lip came to mind but if she didn't go to the Prince now there was a good chance she would lose her nerve again after the Curator so she pressed on ward. Kenatar loosed a shriek and jumped from her shoulder to glide along the corridors, following his echo until he disappeared from sight but let out a series of squeaks to let her know that he was still there. As considerate as his master.

It took longer than she would have liked before arriving at the office door to find the stonebat waiting expectantly for her, using those big ruby eyes to look between her and the handle where she could hear the Prince's low grumbling. Taking a steady breath as she raised her hand and knocked, Kenatar hopped forward and tilted his head to listen for the sounds of scrambling from inside while he hid whatever he was looking at.

“Enter!” came after a minute in a strained casual tone and she had to stop herself smirking when she opened the door to find the truest mess of papers across his space she'd seen yet.

“May I suggest some paperclips?”

“I would need every paperclip in existence at this point,” Renathal grimaced, “I pray your day has been better than my own.”

“I think that depends on who you ask,” she replied with a smirk while Kenatar went to leap onto the edge of the couch and began to pad the cushions with his talons, “I did manage to find something of interest though.”

“Oh?”

The speed at which he swiftly forgot his predicament and looked at her with bright, curious eyes was surprising. The reports were left as he turned his entire body toward her and leaned eagerly forward, a move she hadn't really noticed before but suddenly seemed so important. With a wide smile Sanoleth brought the wrapped box out from behind her back and presented it forward for him to take. The curiosity spread to a raised eyebrow and slight parting of lips once he took it and began to carefully the paper away to reveal the felt box inside, carefully twisting it between his fingers and she realised it was because he, too, was nervous to find out what was inside. He seemed to find it after a moment and cranked the lid open, only to stare open-mouthed at the ring glimmering back at him in the low light. It was one of the very few times she had seen him genuinely at a loss for words. Cupped in both hands just staring at the ring for so long she wasn't entirely certain he hadn't left his body on the spot until he gently placed the box down and freed the ring to put it on the same finger as the Curator. The same shimmering effect began to make its way through the emerald but instead of leaving the carved sigil dark, it became a solid red colour that sat comfortably among the green floating above instead of inviting eyes to drown in its depths.

“It's beautiful,” the words jumped ahead of her brain even if they were true.

Renathal blinked and then looked at her for a moment before going back to the ring. “Yes. It is. Wherever did you find it?”

“Are you sure you want to know?” she asked warily and was surprised when he nodded, “Well, I figured that it was probably stolen from you a long time ago so when I was playing with Kenatar at Darkwall, I was reminded of how you were both cast into the Maw and who was there with you. Chamberlain had taken his time so I knew he had yours. I'm not sure the Curator could remember what happened to hers so when we went to investigate his manor we found a receipt that said he sold two rings.”

“Oh please don't tell me you went to that accursed Emporium,” Renathal grimaced and she could only smile apologetically as she nodded, “Then at least say you didn't trade any physical items?”

“No, I went with Denoreth so she asked us both a series of questions. And there was... another ring there. That was sold to someone else.”

“I see,” his face fell for a moment and then looked back at hers with a piercing gaze, “Then why did you choose mine? Or ours? Was hers there?”

“Yes, it was. And I chose them because I love you. They're what I went for and I'll have an even better ring.”

His nostrils flared in a poor attempt to hide the creeping smile on his face at her words, reaching forward to grab her arm and guide her to sit in his lap for a quick, forceful kiss. “Then I pray what answers you gave will not have more power than you expect. Surely someone warned you of that place?”

“The Accuser did, colour me surprised it seemed they didn't get along,” she joked breathlessly while running a hand along his neck, “She seemed more interested in Denoreth than me honestly. Maybe because people don't know much about him other than being my brother.”

“That would make some amount of sense,” he said as he ran his fingers slowly through his goatee, “Pulling back the curtain may have made her somewhat more comfortable.”

“Apparently nothing about it made him comfortable. I didn't pry much but he couldn't wait to get out of there.”

Renathal let out a low growl and frowned, turning to lay a small kiss on her temple and then settle in a way she could lean comfortably against him. “Do let him know if he is truly concerned he can speak with any of us. I would like to have him be at ease around us and I know she has a way of getting under people's skin. As for you... You have now left me in an unenviable position that I feel I must tell you what I had planned.”

“You don't have to do anything,” she started to protest.

“I know. But you haven given me a ring and I am not blind as to its usual meaning,” the Prince chuckled low in his throat to vibrate against her fingers, “Hrmm. Well. My original plan was to take you aside after your bout in the Maldraxxi arena. That way, high on victory or low on defeat, it would either improve the mood or bring your day to a triumphant end. Does that sound agreeable, Starlight?”

The sudden hot flush through her face and speeding heart was probably answer enough for him and she swore she felt his cheek move into a grin, trying to keep her voice straight so she could reply. “I think that sounds very agreeable. And maybe a little more thought out than one might expect.”

“I don't know what you could possibly be referring to,” the Prince responded with mock innocence.

She turned to kiss his cheek and he reached forward to catch her chin for a far more deep, sensual kiss, one she melted into as she let their minds rejoin and different tendrils of warmth reached into her soul. These ones full of love and lust that bled between them in an instant and made her hands turn to claiming claws inside his shirt while his own searched for access to the flaming skin beneath the armour. There was a known end-point now and she had never been more glad in her life. The fire within touched gently at the questing tendrils and let them the same way it did the Curator, only this time he wasn't put off in the least. Despite the sleeping stonebat and slightly ajar office door, the only business the Prince conducted for the rest of that day was satisfying the demands of a soon-to-be Princess.

And all too quickly, those days passed by to the thrumming voices of Maldraxxi joined in a glorious battlesong.