Chapter 41: Declaration of War

ZELTARIA

Zeltaria slipped into a maroon spider-silk bathrobe after a quick dip in the tub. She’d also helped Cerys, the centaur, with a sponge bath since she was too big to fit in the tub. But like Zeltaria, she ~really~ needed a bath.

Cerys dressed in her heavy skirt and button-up top, her equine half and humanoid torso covered respectively. Zeltaria noticed a change in Cerys. She seemed more relaxed, her usual stern demeanor softened. She even hummed a little tune as she dressed.

They made their way to the main stairs, Zeltaria assisting Cerys down the steps. Her four horse legs weren’t exactly designed for staircases.

The mansion was unusually quiet as they walked through it. The only sound was distant chatter coming from the front sitting room.

As they got closer, they realized the voice belonged to Alethria.

Entering the front room, they found Alethria seated in an armchair by an open window. The rest of the mansion’s staff filled the room, making the usually spacious area feel crowded.

“…we still haven’t found one of the councilmen who ran away. The other two were arrested for treason. These villains need to learn how to hide secret documents and ~not~ carry them around,” Alethria was saying.

She looked up as Zeltaria and Cerys entered, drawing the attention of everyone in the room.

“Welcome back, ambassador,” Alethria greeted warmly, her tone suggesting genuine relief and happiness at seeing Zeltaria awake.

The room’s occupants immediately surrounded Zeltaria. Airy was the first to hug the Succubus, with Mika following closely. Skalla kept a respectful distance, while Iro stood even further back, afraid of being squashed if the shark decided to join the group hug.

Aranya, who had been curled up in a corner of the ceiling, descended on a strong thread and greeted Zeltaria with a deep bow.

Zeltaria suppressed a wince from the pressure on her bruises and returned the hugs. She nodded at Aranya in response to her greeting.

Once she was free from Airy and Mika’s embrace, she greeted Skalla in the traditional shark folk way, clasping forearms.

Finally, Zeltaria moved to an armchair next to Alethria and motioned for everyone to sit down and stop fussing over her.

“I appreciate the warm welcome, but I’m still quite ~bruised~. Let’s save the celebrations for later.”

IRO

From his seat across from Zel and Alethria, Iro noticed Zeltaria glance at Cerys. The centaur blushed and looked away. Before he could comment, Zeltaria turned to Alethria.

“What did I miss?”

Alethria shook her head slowly, reaching out to hold Zeltaria’s hands.

“Not much. Three council members turned out to be traitors; one is still on the loose. And we have no idea where this ~enkeli~ is. I thought they were content to stay on their island and ignore everyone else.”

Zeltaria gently held Alethria’s hands, noticing they were wrapped in braided cords of vine-like plants, with some blackened plant flesh visible on the edges.

Alethria squeezed her hands to get Zeltaria’s attention. “I would have done it for anyone else. Don’t blame yourself.”

Zeltaria nodded slowly, meeting Alethria’s gaze. “Thank you. Truly.”

Alethria smiled and looked out the window. “Now we need to find our missing councilman and this enkeli, this ~Siuei~. Any leads?”

Zeltaria shook her head as she let go of Alethria’s hands. “I also need to bring Holly back. I know she wasn’t keen on the amulet plan, and I owe it to her.”

Alethria nodded, and the others hummed in agreement. Clearly, Zeltaria hadn’t filled everyone in on everything, though Airy might have just forgotten.

Speaking of Airy, she perked up as the others started brainstorming ways to find Siuei and Ilia. She got up from her chair and walked over to the window, peering outside. She patted Zeltaria’s shoulder and pointed outside.

“Is that who you’re looking for?”

Zeltaria jumped to her feet, and everyone crowded around the window.

To their surprise, hovering in the air a few dozen feet above the ground and just a stone’s throw from the mansion was Siuei and a half dozen other enkeli of varying sizes and genders.

Zeltaria and Skalla exchanged a look of disbelief before Zeltaria leaned out of the window. “Can I help you?!” she shouted, still stunned that their target had just shown up.

Siuei laughed as she fluttered in the air.

“Yes, you can. You can come back to Ordonnia and pay for your crimes!”

Siuei landed gracefully on the ground, her bodyguards dropping in around her. “Know this, ~Succubus~: I will make you pay, no matter what it takes.”

Zeltaria took a deep breath and stood tall. Talking through the window was awkward, but she had to make do.

“That’s going to be quite a task, especially for someone like you.”

Siuei visibly bristled at Zel’s comment.

“But what are you waiting for? You have me and all of my family in one place. Come and get us.”

Iro stole a glance at Zeltaria. He’d known it would come to a showdown like this with the enkeli and her grudge, but he hadn’t anticipated how it would impact him and the others who weren’t as seasoned as Zel, Cerys, or Skalla.

His stomach churned as Siuei started to speak again.

“Not yet. I just need my people to get here, and then you’ll all be mine. I want you to sit and stew in that knowledge. Hold your loved ones close, because in a week’s time, you’ll all be done.”

With a snap of her fingers, the enkeli shot into the air, her followers soaring up with her and disappearing into the distance.

Iro felt a wave of dizziness at the death threat and sank into the nearest chair, which happened to be Alethria’s.

He ended up in her lap, but neither of them seemed to mind once they realized it. The room fell silent as they digested Siuei’s threat. Zeltaria was the first to break the silence.

“So. We have one week to find her hideout and put an end to this madness. Alethria, any leads?”

The dryad hummed thoughtfully, hugging Iro closer to her.

“Not right now. My scouts are scouring the region and will report any enkeli sightings. Meanwhile, I believe you had another mission?”

Zeltaria nodded and turned to Cerys, who promptly produced the silver pendant the Succubus had used to trap Holly’s soul. She took the amulet and held it tight. “I need to rescue my friend. And I think I know how.”

There were murmurs of agreement and encouragement before Airy piped up, “How?”

Zeltaria’s giggle seemed to give everyone else permission to laugh as the childlike innocence of Airy’s question lightened the heavy atmosphere.

Zeltaria reached out to affectionately stroke Airy’s feathered head. The avian leaned into Zel’s hand with a contented sigh.

“It won’t be easy,” Zeltaria said carefully, “but it won’t harm anyone else. I just need to pay a visit to an old friend…”