CHAPTER FOURTEEN

Jin would've bowed out from Maya's excursion through New Sandharbor. Her first instinct was to find an opportune moment to duck out of sight, retreat to a secluded corner, and teleport away. It was entirely possible she'd end up in the palace metavatarium, but anywhere would be preferable to this nonsense.

It wasn't escape from Shan Alee she needed. Not as such. Jin just wanted to escape her sister. She would have, only Jin felt responsible for Moon being in the same predicament.

They'd already visited three different inns, each along the road between Old and New Sandharbor. Their stays in each had only been long enough to sample the house brew and take note of how overdressed they were. Unsurprisingly, a host of eyes followed them in and back out of each destination. Most were curious, nearly as many were openly lustful, but Jin was becoming nervous at how none of them were hostile as she predicted.

It was a highly frequented area, hosting the droves of merchants and trade lords who brought their wares by the wagonload to the new markets springing up in the west.

The more Jin saw in this part of the city— a neighborhood she'd learned was called Merchant's Row— the more she came to understand the wealth flooding into Shan Alee. Provisioners outfitted the many settlers heading further west into the Miracle, merchants brought food stocks from the north and south, and craftsmen sold their products as soon as they were unloaded off the wagons. It looked like furniture makers didn't even need to enter the city; all their chairs and tables were bought at as much as twice their normal value by the ravenous demand in Shan Alee, very nearly once the items came into sight.

Jin walked slightly behind Maya and Moon. They were in search of something Jin wasn't certain existed in Shan Alee yet. Maya wanted an establishment of a higher class than the saloons and inns they'd so far seen, but Shan Alee was populated almost entirely by the working class. Practicality and function were, for the time being, more important to the city than indolent recreation. Maya's frustration grew to the point where they'd almost been taken into a brothel in search of a well-stocked bar, and only Jin's vehement protests that a new mother shouldn't be seen anywhere near such a place kept them out of it.

The clocktower near the palace tolled seven bells. As afternoon progressed into evening, the light lessened but didn't fade. The days were longer in summer, and though Jin felt the day's fatigue weighing on her, it would be another two hours until full dark. Despite the lengthy dusk, Merchant's Row was already awash with gaslight. The many lanterns and lampposts gave a soft and warm light that bathed the still-active markets in an amber glow. Spices and cooked meats filled the evening air with their scents, and no wind blew through the streets. It gave a promise of a warm and still night ahead.

Jin began to worry over just how much the three of them stood out in New Sandharbor. They wore gowns, for a start. Jin liked to believe the people of Shan Alee would be less likely to recognize her outside of armor, but she feared her stature and build made that a forgone conclusion. It wasn't even one of her own gowns but one of Maya's. Jin loved her sister— she had to— but she was not overly fond of Maya's sense of fashion.

The gown wasn't unfashionable, not really, but it was made with a more slender frame in mind. The skirt was already short, but on Jin, it barely went below the knees. Fortunate that the Aleesh didn't think that out of the ordinary. The corset was stifling on top of it all. The colors, however, were nice. Blue had always been Jin's most flattering color. She and Maya had that in common.

Jin started to adjust her bodice for the third time. Winds, but Maya toed the line when it came to bodices. Jin felt like she'd expose herself if she took too deep a breath.

Maya slapped Jin's hand away. "It's fine," she scolded. "That corset's whale bone. It couldn't be tighter if I spellwrought it to you."

"I cannot disagree," Jin muttered.

Maya pursed her lips but decided to ignore the comment. She returned her attention to Moon, who she walked beside while linking arms. "Don't mind the twerp, darling. What were you saying?"

"Was speaking of shoes. This is thing I think kith could have."

Jin was drawn to the subject despite her discomfort. Shoes were of paramount importance, and every people had a right to them.

Moon was dressed gloriously, and Jin recognized the gown. It was the one she helped commission for Moon. White gossamer silk, so purely white that it gave the impression of having coruscating colors woven into it. There was fine lace around the neckline and on the sleeves, and the skirt accentuated Moon's hips. It was a more classical style of gown, not very modern, but that worked in favor of Moon's timeless beauty.

Moon had put up her hair, and she'd given her antlers a bit of polish. In addition, Moon seemed to have improved even further when it came to applying cosmetics.

"Not to be insensitive," Maya said carefully, "but wouldn't shoes be redundant?"

"Is not for being practical," Moon said. "Is nice to be pretty."

"You don't need shoes for that," Maya said with a tinkling laugh. "But I see your point. What is it you have in mind? A sort of slipper, maybe?"

"Nay, nay," Moon said. "Is already thing like this. You put these on hooves of horses."

Jin covered her mouth to stifle a snort, and Maya's jaw worked as if trying to find the words.

"You mean..." Maya glanced towards Jin. "You mean horseshoes?"

"Aye." Moon hopped on one hoof as they walked, holding the other one so she could get a good look at the underside. "Must be shaped different, but this is thing that could be. Goblinshoes."

I love her, Jin thought.

Maya's incredulous look changed to one of amused acceptance. "As you say, then. It's worth exploring."

Jin watched Maya sidelong. It still didn't seem real, Maya being so friendly to someone. True, Jin doubted anyone could spend any amount of time with Moon and not adore her, but Maya had never acted like this with anyone that Jin knew of. There'd been servants, and there'd been the occasional paramour— little difference between how Maya treated the two. This was different. An honest friendship.

Heart warming, but Jin still caught signs of what looked like flirting. Maya had never shown an interest in women before, so it would be coming out of an empty field. That didn't stop Jin's internal sense for such things from chiming. Maya's hand lingered on Moon's waist at times, they held hands at others, but what truly caught Jin's attention was how Maya would gaze at Moon when her back was turned.

Jin blinked hard and gave her head a shake. She told herself to stop being so thick-headed. It had already been proven to her satisfaction there was nothing untoward between them. Jin also had little doubt that if Maya did have romantic feelings for Moon, everyone within earshot would hear a goblin cackle and shout "Star Hunter scents of me". Jin's sense for courting preference couldn't hold a candle to a goblin's nose.

With a sigh of relief, Jin knew she was being silly, and it wasn't like she had a leg to stand on in such matters. Not anymore.

Jin's face sobered. She dropped her eyes and watched her feet as she walked, everything else on the city streets fading into the periphery. She moved onward, uncaring of where she next placed her step. No plan for the future, either immediate or further ahead. Listless and unfocused, Jin couldn't think, and she had no desire to.

Moon stopped their walk when she took Jin's arm and stood in front of her. "She must be here," she said firmly.

"Who must be here?" Jin asked.

Moon pursed her lips. "Rocker. Jin must be here, and she is not."

Jin gave her a wan smile. "Where am I, then?"

"In dark forest," Moon said, her manner somber. "Forest of shadows. Of mist. Black forest."

Jin blinked. A memory of a dream came to her, a vague impression of a fiend and its fetid teeth close to her neck. A woman, with piercing brown eyes.

"Rise."

The memory of a dream fled as quickly as it arrived. Jin attributed her mind wandering like that to fatigue, also to the need for oren that still clawed at her chest like a starving rat.

" A dark forest?" Jin asked.

"Aye," Moon said. "Is what kith call this thing. Slayers call this... maudlin? Is ashen mood, and Jin must not..." Moon stopped what she was about to say. She started up again in that disturbing human dialect. "What I'm trying to say is, it's maybe time you consider forgiving yourself, because the rest of us have. We did a long, long time ago."

Behind Moon's shoulder, Maya nodded as if Moon were a holy sage dispensing ancient wisdoms. "If you two are going to be a moment," Maya said while pointing towards the south, "I believe I see luminescent pain glowing that way. If it's a saloon, I'll come back to collect you."

"Jin's kin is wise," Moon said quietly as she watched Maya stroll off. "But not subtle."

"Maya has never heard of subtlety," Jin agreed. "She must believe you are about to give me direction."

"Is not thing I meant to do," Moon said. "I not have much more to gift. Used up most at last speaking."

"Well, I would not turn it away if it were offered," Jin said. "You've a great talent for addressing the heart of the matter without making it sound an accusation."

Moon blinked. "Eh?"

"You uncloud the air without making my hands feel ashen."

Moon scratched at the back of her head self-consciously. It was a very Ban-like mannerism, and Jin was reminded how well those two suited each other.

"Is white words," Moon said. "But is words that hold black thoughts. Did Jin come home expecting to feel ashen? Did she come wanting to feel ashen?"

You could give any hydromancer alive a run for their marks, Jin thought in amazement.

"I did not come here..." Jin began. She touched at her brow, feeling suddenly dizzy. "I did not intend to stay when I came here. Come, do what I had to, and leave again. I meant to be gone before anyone knew I was here."

"She is not ready to be cleansed?" Moon asked.

"Is that what I'm feeling?" Jin asked, more to herself than to anyone. She shook her head. "I don't know. Now that I am here, I don't think I can bring myself to go, but I can't accept forgiveness from any of you. Not until... Moon, I need to talk to Enfri. It's been so long since I've had an open talk with her. Not since she became an empress. I have to talk to her for real again."

Moon looked surprised. "Has this not yet happened? Not before Jin came to sight rybka?" Her brow knitted together. "You not speak to Enfri?"

"I have. Only..." Jin bit her lips as she sought out the correct words. "Only, it was as nothing has changed. It feels wrong to pretend nothing is different than it was."

Moon nodded in understanding. "This is thing I will make certain she can speak to her blue of. No one can stop. I will stab the arse of any rocker who tries."

Jin felt a tremor in her voice. "Can I, though? I don't have the right. I surrendered the right to, the moment I betrayed her faith in me. Isn't it selfish to come back after all that's happened and ask for it to be different than it was?"

The question looked like it actually ticked Moon off. "Is not selfish!" she all but shouted. Moon looked around her in aghast amazement, apparently at her wit's end. A few passing pedestrians gave her befuddled looks.

"Are all slayers rockers?" Moon demanded of no one in particular.

"I think so," Jin murmured.

"Am about to speak ugly thing," Moon said, her tone darkening. "My tongue will be ashen for speaking this."

Jin nodded, prepared for stark condemnation.

Moon took Jin by the chin and forced their eyes to meet. "You were not wrong to leave her."

Jin opened her mouth immediately to protest.

"Nay, nay," Moon said, waving for silence. "Jin was wrong for other things, but not for leaving. For betraying, aye. For leaving, nay."

"How can you say that?" Jin whispered.

"Aye, my tongue is ashen," Moon sighed. She took a step back. "What Jin and her blue were when Jin left, it was not heart-blessed. Heart-blessed must be equal. Jin sighted herself as less than her blue. Her blue sighted her as this, too. Empty green one... becomes less green the more empty she is."

Empty one, the kith phrase for a leader. It was overdue, but Jin hadn't realized until then that the fey called their leaders empty for the same reason humans said a crown made one faceless. They couldn't be themselves. They had to become what those they ruled needed them to be, whatever that may have been.

"This is not good thing," Moon continued. "Enfri was too empty to have heart-blessed. No room for heart-blessed. Jin deserves more than being... servant... for Dragon Empress. She was right to leave, because this was not love. It was being kept. Being owned." Moon took Jin by the shoulders and gave her a gentle shaking. "Is selfish of Enfri to ask things be the same. But she is not selfish. She sights this, too. Jin must not fear speaking this. Heart-blessed must be equal, as I am with my red."

Jin nodded slowly, then frowned. "Aren't you under Ban's command?"

Moon nodded. "Am under command of First Knight. I sight difference between Ban and First Knight. Did Jin sight difference between Enfri and Dragon Empress? Did she not sight when it was right to stop sighting the empress?"

Jin felt light-headed. She was grateful for Moon holding on to her, or she might've stumbled. "I didn't. I didn't at all. It... never occurred to me."

Moon looked satisfied. "This is thing that must change."

"You're absolutely right," Jin said. "Power dynamics in romance are a treacherous subject, I suppose."

"Is," Moon said gravely.

"How is it you're so wise, Moon?" Jin asked.

"Am four hands of years older than these silly blues," Moon said haughtily. "Have had some heart-blessed. These are things I learn."

That was all well and good, but what Jin heard more than anything else was that Ban wasn't Moon's first paramour. "You've been with others?"

"Aye, and why not?" She gestured down the length of herself. "Am pleasing to sight, aye? Good tracker. Good hunter. Am blooded kith. Bloodied many slayers. What is not to want?"

"I've no doubt you've had many suitors."

"Many," Moon confirmed. "Became heart-blessed with less. Three reds, two violets, and a blue. These were not good for me to be mates with, but I learn much from them."

Jin raised an eyebrow. She especially wanted to hear about the blue. "Not mates, certainly, but did you mate?"

Moon blushed, but she smiled. "Is this thing Jin wants to hear?"

"Of course I do!"

A cry erupted from a southerly direction. Jin nearly feared it was an attack, but it was just Maya bustling back towards them from where she'd gone tavern-hunting.

"Not without me! I want to hear this, too!"

Moon giggled. "Star Hunter will hear this, then. Has she sighted white place?"

"If that's to ask if there's a drinking hole over there, then yes." She beckoned for Jin to get moving. "Spirits' mercy, I'd almost given up hope of finding a place like this. An honest-to-the-winds wine house. There's even a dress code, so we're fortunate I insisted on standards."

Jin caught Moon's eye before rolling hers. That caused Moon to cover her mouth to stifle giggles. By the time Maya led them to the entrance of a wine house, they were clutching at each other in a vain attempt to stop themselves from bursting into uncontrolled laughter.

"What's gotten into you two?" Maya demanded. "Places like this won't let you in if you act like you've had too much already."

It took some effort, but Jin managed to reclaim her stoicism. Moon didn't bother trying.

The host of the establishment was a taller gentleman dressed in a fine if simple waistcoat and trousers. He was slender with streaks of gray in his otherwise black hair. His mustache was short, thin, and aggressively groomed to razor sharp angles. Between his facial hair and lidded eyes, he was unmistakably Hondoan.

Hondo was a client kingdom on the eastern coast, north of Gaulatia and nearly as large. There was little remarkable about Hondo that drew attention from elsewhere on the Continent. That is, aside from the wines, ales, and liquors the kingdom produced. Hondoan alcohol was widely regarded as the best in the world, and the noble houses there took pride in sponsoring the most renowned producers of it they could acquire.

Jin nearly wondered what brought a Hondoan vintner to Shan Alee until she took a second look. Though his skin was fair and hair black, his eyes were green. Not as obviously Aleesh as many others in New Sandharbor, but enough to fall under the attention of royal assassins in times past.

There was a hint of anxiety to the man as he bowed and offered greetings. As his eyes gave away his heritage, so did Maya and Jin's.

"Thank you, Master Vintner," Maya said with a slight curtsy. "You have private rooms, I'm told."

"Yes, Highness," the host said. He was yet to straighten from his bow. "Private rooms and semi-public. If your party desires additional privacy, my staff will provide wards."

"No, unnecessary," Maya said. "Semi-public sounds interesting. What is that?"

"All guests are provided with a room to sample the wines at their leisure, however the semi-public rooms share a parlor where the different parties may converse. Entertainment is provided, also."

Maya's eye brightened as she looked back to Moon and Jin. "That sounds perfect. What say you?"

Jin would prefer to stay out of sight, and Moon seemed bewildered at what any of what the host said meant. But, Jin wasn't in the mood to argue. Maya had a habit of taking the small disagreements far too personally.

"As you say, Sister. Semi-public."

Maya beamed as she turned back to the host. "As she says. What manner of entertainment will there be tonight?"

"I've a skilled bard on retainer, Highness. Poetry, dance, and the lyre are her specialties."

"Wonderful. Might your bard know sonnets from the Rookish masters?"

"Naturally, Your Highness. I will pass on the request."

As the conversation drew on, the host's anxiety lessened by degrees, as did his bow until he stood straight once again. Jin wondered if Maya realized the effect she was having on him. Disturbing, but Maya the Friendly was terrifyingly charming. It was vital Maya never learn this, or the world would be hers inside a year.

Maya had a final question for their host as he escorted them to the semi-public rooms. "Are there many other guests tonight?" she asked.

"A small number, yes. One other party arrived soon before you, Highness, but the evening has only begun."

oOo

Reyn was impressed by the wine house. It was a strange byproduct of New Sandharbor's arcane construction, but buildings that weren't spellwrought were becoming something of a status symbol. An entire drinking establishment constructed through mundane means was oddly enchanting.

The handcrafted aura of the wine house continued into the interior decor. Silk curtains were strung along rails, so even the rooms in the semi-public area could be closed off for a bit of privacy. The rooms themselves ranged from simple alcoves with a sitting booth to full rooms with dining tables and chairs. Purple, mauve, and dandelion yellow were the predominant colors on display, and the muted gaslights were kept at a dim glow.

Over in the adjacent parlor, a burly bartender wiped down tumblers and wine glasses behind his bar in preparation for the evening's guests. Three serving maids hurried in and out of rooms for last-minute cleaning. A breathtakingly beautiful woman, with pale green skin and the daintiest tusks Reyn had ever seen on an orc, tuned her lyre.

"That lout," Pacifica muttered under her breath. "That floundering lout."

Reyn was rather impressed Pacifica managed to still be upset. It'd been hours since her farce failed to land as hoped, but she hadn't yet cooled her temper in regards to Lord Bannlyth.

"To be fair, ma belle," Reyn said, "you nearly killed the marshal when you kissed me. I could almost hear his heart racing."

"Fight or flight, at its finest," Starra agreed. Her attention was more or less fixated on the orc bard. "You shouldn't be so glum, dear girl. I think it went off marvelously. I've no complaints."

Pacifica sat flanked by the pair in their small corner alcove, crossing her arms and looking entirely put out by the whole affair. None of the three had changed outfits as of yet; Starra forbade it. Reyn didn't particularly mind, because she felt that her gown was perhaps the least daring of them. Surprisingly, Pacifica seemed to care even less, which might've had something to do with her simmering temper.

Reyn would rather spend the evening with Pacifica's smiles, so she endeavored to change the subject. "It has been a long time since I last saw you with your hair down," she said. "Are you thinking of wearing it like this more often?"

Pacifica blinked and looked her way before touching at her scarlet curls. "Do you like it like this?"

"It is very becoming," Reyn said with a smile. "Did it require much effort?"

Pacifica nodded. "More than a braid, but I don't think I'd mind making the effort every now and then. Perhaps-" She glanced in a shy manner towards Starra before looking back. "-on our days together?"

Reyn took her hand and gave it a squeeze. "I am at your beck and call, ma belle."

Finally, Pacifica smiled. Her cheeks turned red, too, and Reyn saw that as the icing on the cake.

There were times when Reyn caught small tells in Pacifica's manner when it was the three of them together. She was beginning to suspect that Pacifica perceived a hierarchy in their relationships, as if she believed Reyn valued her time with Starra more. Whether it was because they were betrothed, Starra's seniority, or any number of other reasons, Pacifica often behaved as if she were being impertinent to claim any of Reyn's attention for herself and herself alone.

Reyn and Starra's eyes met, and a knowing look passed between them. It would mortify Pacifica to know, but she was a frequent topic of discussion of theirs. It was important to both of them that Pacifica was able to feel comfortable in the arrangement.

"There was one thing that came up," Starra said. "I think Lord Ban's suggestion of Reyn claiming a title bears discussion."

The direction that Starra went, unfortunately, was not what Reyn anticipated. It might've been that their nonverbal communication wasn't as effective as Reyn believed it to be. Or, Starra was plowing ahead at her own discretion once again. Maddening woman, but Reyn supposed that was why she loved her.

"I hate to admit it," Pacifica muttered, "but Ban might not be completely off his nut. That said, Reyn, I can't imagine it's something you'd want for yourself."

Reyn was grateful someone besides herself said it. "I have my hands full as it is fulfilling my duties as first minister. I cannot imagine adding a head of house's responsibilities to that. Furthermore..." Her voice trailed off as she folded her hands on her lap.

"What is it, dear one?" Starra asked.

Reyn felt as if her face was about to burn off her head. "I... was looking forward to..."

"Yes?" Starra asked, raising an eyebrow.

Reyn clamped her eyes shut and forced the words out her mouth. "I want to take my spouse's name. I have always wanted that."

Pacifica hid a smile behind her hand. "More than making a surname of your own?"

Reyn shook her head. "If I wanted that, I would have kept my parents' after they passed Beyond." She scoffed. "Tell me, do I look like a Hostler to you?"

"Reyn Hostler," Starra said slowly. She wrinkled her nose. "No. No, it doesn't suit you at all. Reyn of Rosewater has more of a..."

"A mystique," Pacifica finished.

"Yes, quite so," Starra laughed. "But more than that, dear one, I'm beyond honored you would want to bear my house name. I assure you, Daddy would've started crying just now had he heard."

Reyn smiled to herself. "Lord Seifer is very kind."

"We've discussed this," Starra said in a sing-song tone.

"Father," Reyn corrected. "Father is very kind."

"Which begs the question," Starra said, a pointing finger dancing lazily between Reyn and Pacifica, "what precisely lies in your two futures?"

Both blushed furiously.

"We-" Pacifica cleared her throat. "-haven't really discussed anything like that."

"No, I mean, it has not even been that long."

"Don't be so droll," Starra scoffed. "You've been with Pacifica just about as long as you've been with me. It was, what, two weeks after we started courting? One and a half?" She gave Pacifica a pointed look. "Wherever it is you picked up this idea that Reyn and I are more established, just put it to rest. It's not the case. I'm just pushier than you are."

If it bothered Starra that no one argued the point, she didn't show it. The bard began strumming a more recognizable tune on her lyre, and that claimed Starra's undivided attention.

"Are you ogling harder than usual?" Reyn asked.

"Hmm? Perhaps a bit. Orcs are one of the lovelier fey races, don't you think?"

Reyn couldn't exactly disagree. The long and pointed ears with tufted fur, the impressive physiques, and the glowing golden eyes made for a striking appearance. That didn't quite overshadow a peculiarity of orcs. They were... different. Even other fey considered orcs, fey born from wind spirits of valor, to be a little abnormal.

Which made it unexpected to see an orc in a stereotypically mortal profession. It appeared the night's entertainer was an oddity among oddities.

I'm not one to talk, Reyn told herself with a wistful smile.

The bard's delicate fingers coaxed a light and airy song from the strings of her lyre. While the music began in earnest, a serving maid brought a bottle of vintage wine to their alcove along with three glasses. There was a bit of performative flair to the way the maid uncorked the bottle and poured for them. She then left while leaving the bottle.

"Should we not wait for Lord Bannlyth?" Reyn asked.

The question hadn't left her mouth before Pacifica downed her glass in one fell swoop. She smirked wickedly to Reyn before pouring herself another.

"Altieri," Reyn sighed. She doubted Pacifica would even get a fuzzy head if she finished the bottle herself. The girl had a liver to be envied by men three times her size.

Pacifica was working on her second glass when Reyn caught a snippet of conversation approaching.

"Was good to walk different path," Moon said as she entered the parlor. "Starlit Blade wished for no white ones, no matter who carried them. This was thing I wanted, so would not be fair to me if we stay heart-blessed. She was sad, but she understood. Is good friend still. Ban likes her, too."

"Is Lord Bannlyth aware of your past with her?" Princess Maya asked.

"Oh, aye. Is not thing I hide. Is not thing Ban hides. We not ashamed of who we mate with in past. Maybe ashamed of why, but not of who."

"I adore the way you see it, darling. You've the healthier outlook on such things, and I'm pleased to hear your husband isn't the jealous sort."

As they neared, Reyn sat up straight. Pacifica and Starra did as well. They looked in astonishment as the wine house's owner escorted another trio of women and directed them towards one of the vacant rooms adjacent to the parlor.

Moon's nostrils flared, and she turned towards Reyn's alcove with an excited grin. "Is best blues!"

Pacifica rushed out of the alcove to receive Moon in a hug. "Ha! That's a lie. Everyone knows you're the best girl in Shan Alee."

Moon covered her cheeks and averted her gaze. Her blush was so strong that it showed on the back of her neck.

"Winds and storms, my lady," Maya gasped in appreciation. Her eyes locked on Pacifica's cleavage before darting between the others rising to offer curtsies. "I'm pleased to see someone in this empire knows how to dress for an outing. What's the occasion?"

"The establishment of a harem," Starra said. "Care to join us, Your Highness?"

"That depends," Maya said with the utmost suspicion. "In what capacity?"

Reyn nudged Starra gently with her elbow.

"In the capacity of no expectations, of course," Starra sighed.

"Acceptable," Maya said. She turned to look behind her. "Jin?"

Reyn felt as if she'd been struck by Maya's astramancy. She turned her head to look at Jin and knew she was gaping like a halfwit. Outside the sky woman's cottage, it almost hadn't seemed real that Jin could've returned. Seeing her in the flesh was barely enough to convince Reyn that it was true. Even after having some time to get used to the idea, a tumultuous onslaught of emotions fought to be the feeling Reyn felt most. There was anxiety, fear, and Reyn's oldest nemesis, shame. It came as a victory, then, how the emotion that won out in the end was a deeply satisfying sense of relief.

There Jin stood, in a dress that didn't suit her, looking like she wanted to crawl under a rock and never show her face again. There was much that Reyn saw in Jin's bearing, much she'd rather not have seen, but the most important step had been taken. Jin was where she was meant to be again. That was all that mattered.

"Welcome home, Your Highness," Reyn said. "We have missed you."

Jin fiddled with her thumbs, unable to look Reyn in the eye.

Reyn came out of the alcove and did her best to conceal her limp. She could keep the pain under control if she rested afterwards. Walking closer, Reyn was reminded that she was the taller of the two of them. By a mere inch, but still taller. That was a fact Reyn always had difficulty remembering, or had long preferred not to.

"Sea-scented blue sights pleasing," Moon said in wonder.

Reyn favored her with a wink, and she perhaps let her Voice reach out somewhat. "Merci, ma petite. You as well."

Poor Moon began to lose all composure.

Reaching Jin, Reyn took her hands. "I could not be more relieved to see you, Highness."

Jin swallowed and still did not raise her eyes. "I'm sorry."

"You had best be," Reyn said with a slight snarl. As she continued, her voice rose in volume. "Have you any notion of how much work it has been with you gone? While I am aware it was never an official posting, you acted as Her Majesty's bailiff. That duty has now fallen to me. To me, Highness. Is there not enough for me to do that I must do your job, also?"

Jin drew back onto her back foot, finally looking Reyn in the face with bewilderment. "I meant... for your leg?"

Reyn planted her fists on her hips. "I cannot be bothered with such trivialities. Not when there are finances to manage, petitions to schedule, guilds to keep in line, nobles to..."

"I am pleased to see you are well," Jin interrupted flatly.

"Yes, regardless, I am much better now." Reyn looked over towards the others. She saw that Maya's gaze remained locked on Pacifica's chest, Starra's on Maya's, and Moon was in search of a napkin to staunch a small nosebleed. Meanwhile, the serving maids looked on with an air of apprehension and prepared to bring more wine. "Might we sit down, Highness? There is much I would like to get you up to date on."

Jin nodded, her slight smile returning. It had been far too long since Reyn last saw it. Her smile then broadened as Lord Ban entered into the parlor.

"Well, look at this," Ban said, beaming from ear to ear. "I'd hoped this would turn into a party. Hope none of you mind, but I invited a few others."

Ban was dressed impeccably in a double-breasted blazer, silk shirt, pressed slacks, and head uncovered. He was almost a match for the empress on his arm. The Storyteller and the Huntress were close on the heels of their bound knights, and somewhere in all the arrivals, Krayson ghosted himself into the crowd along with the Bastion.

As the first to arrive and the newcomers greeted each other in a growing cacophony, Reyn signaled for the apprehensive bartender to start bringing out more bottles.

She had a feeling that tonight would be an outing to remember.