The Mother of Monsters

Teyva, Argus, and Tiisha found themselves on the first tier of the city just a half hour later. On the way down the two of them bickered relentlessly about how to react to the humans going after Azrael. Argus was clearly in the camp to retaliate with demonstrable force, he figured a big enough attack would send a message to the Katali that they wouldn’t tolerate the kind of rudeness they had been shown. Tiisha did her best to remind him that they’d sworn their loyalty to the King and that it was ultimately their goal to see that his wishes of peace were fulfilled.

Their argument continued until the lift stopped and they were forced back into a crowd of people. On the first tier, Teyva found the solace of the crowd to be soothing. There were so many people focused on their day-to-day that they didn’t have time to stop and stare at Teyva and her strangeness. Instead, Argus and Tiisha lead her through the crowd with relative ease, going with the flow of people. Teyva did her best to keep pace with them but more than once she found herself having to ask Nephral to take to the air and guide her back on track.

That, of course, had lead to some looks from passers-by who began to take notice of Teyva’s frightful appearance. The sea of grey Azar struck quite a contrast to Teyva’s white-as-snow and before long folks were whispering as she passed. Sighing, she forced herself to ignore the stares until she arrived at the bar that Argus had been so insistent was their destination. She found Tiisha waiting for her outside the building, talking quietly with a pair of guardsmen. She dismissed the two men when she saw Teyva approach and reached out a welcoming hand.

“Was worried about you,” She crooned, nodding to the door. “Shall we?”

Teyva looked up at the establishment. Unlike many of the buildings on the upper tiers with their plain, dark stone exteriors, this building was covered in color. Posters were plastered here and there describing all manner of things while the wall itself was absolutely saturated in various painted murals. Images of Azar holding drinks and laughing were common, artistic depictions of creatures, even a dragon of some kind. Teyva digested that last bit of information. There were dragons in this world or at least some creature that looked a hell of a lot like one. Eventually she settled her nerves and stepped inside with Tiisha who was only too happy to take her by the arm.

The main room of the bar was just as crowded as it was outside. Jaunty music played in the background from some invisible source and a slight haze of some sweet-smelling smoke hung over everything. At first she thought it was standing-room only but a hand rose out of the sea of faces to wave them down. Teyva was quickly dragged in that direction only to come to a stop when she saw who was sitting there. Barin Kot was leaning back in his chair, his feet up on the table and his eyes cast at the ceiling. Next to him was an eager looking Argus Wo, he was already hold a drink in one hand and was sipping at it while staring at the two approaching women over the rim. The third face had been what forced her to stop in her tracks. The scarred scowl of Yaga Yftha met her gaze and the two stared at one another evenly from the short space between them.

“I think I’m good,” Teyva grunted, starting to turn away.

“Now now!” Tiisha insisted, “This is a peaceful place, mm?”

“Sit down, Akura,” Yaga grunted, “Or I’ll never hear the end of it from these idiots.”

“Why the hell should I listen to you?” Teyva shot back, she glanced at Argus. “Really?”

“It’s fine, Teyva,” came Barin Kot’s voice, he sounded tired, “Yaga’s promised not to do anything stupid, right Yaga?”

Teyva hesitated at his word and looked over at Tiisha who gave her an easy smile. She glanced around at the crowd and realized that the confrontation was starting to gather some attention of its own. She sighed and sat down as far away from Yaga as she could. Tiisha sitting next to her and brushing herself off. “Fine, if you say so,” She said, glancing at Barin who had sat up straight and was blessing her with a wide smile. The bags under his eyes were even worse than before. “You look exhausted.”

“That mask of yours is a piece of work,” Barin said, “It’s taking me a while to get it all figured out,” he paused and looked her over, “You’ve been practicing your Mana Manipulation. Better. Good.”

“Mask?” Tiisha asked, leaning forward.

“It’s a relic that Teyva here found when she,” He cleared his throat, “Arrived.”

The other members of the Four looked at one another and then back at Teyva. So they all knew. Teyva crossed her arms and shrugged. “I’ve picked up a few interesting objects along the way here. You should see my personal arsenal.”

“I was actually wondering why you walked around unarmed,” Argus said, “No offense but someone who looks like you shouldn’t walk around without a weapon of some kind.”

“Argus!” Tiisha chided.

“No, I’m curious too,” Yaga said, leaning forward. “How do you defend yourself, Teyva Akura? You wielded some manner of whip against the Lydan, but I did not get a good look and I don’t see it on your person.”

Teyva met her gaze and the two stared at one another for a few heartbeats. Queenie and the other mockeries trembled a little bit at Teyva’s growing ire while Nephral made a warning sound. Teyva ignored them, putting her arm down on the table without missing a beat. She offered Yaga an almost sinister grin, pressing her elbow into the surface of the table and raising her hand up in challenge. “I’m never unarmed,” Teyva said, “Want to see for yourself?”

Yaga narrowed her eyes and got to her feet, walking over to a seat closer to Teyva while the others watched. A waiter came over and quietly took his orders for drinks while Yaga stared Teyva down. Tiisha, to her credit, tried one more time to call for peace before Yaga put her own elbow on the table. She reached for Teyva’s hand and immediately pulled it back, her eyes wide as Teyva cast [Simple Shift], turning her right arm into a shortsword. The blade gleamed in the hanging lights of the room and the four individuals sitting at the table all had varying reactions. Yaga scowled and stood up, reaching for her own dagger. Tiisha gasped and tried to move between the two women. Argus burst into roaring laughter while Barin leaned forward in fascination.

“You wretched creature,” Yaga snarled, “How dare you!”

Teyva barked out a laugh of her own and turned her hand back to normal, “How dare I? Think of it as a little payback for-how did Azrael put it? Trying to drown me in mana?”

Everyone at the table froze and a quiet chill passed over them. Teyva glanced over at Barin who’s face had gone stormy. Argus’ good humor had vanished and even Tiisha’s diplomatic air had fallen into a stony expression. They all looked at Yaga who stood mutely, her hands at her side. Teyva had a distinct feeling she’d said something she really shouldn’t have. Argus got to his feet first only to have Barin grab him by the arm. “Sit back down, Argus,” he warned coolly.

“Let go of me,” Argus snapped, “You and me, outside, now, Yaga.”

Yaga bore her teeth, “Watch who you challenge, Argus.”

“Mind yourself, Yaga,” came the sudden whip crack of Tiisha’s voice. All good humor and pleasantness had faded and the entire table fell silent again. “You’re lucky the King was so lenient considering what you’ve done.”

“I’m missing something,” Teyva said, a little startled at the reaction.

“It’s a taboo,” Barin explained, his tone dark, “Assaulting someone’s spirit and soul with mana manipulation is a violation, a deeply intimate one. Even applying pressure to test someone’s will can be described as offensive. It’s not something you do, at all, ever,” He bit out, “Especially not someone who saved Lady Azrael’s life!”

Teyva thought back to the challenging way that the King had pressed against Teyva. It had felt different than the way Yaga had wielded her own mana, with bloodlust and hostility. She decided not to mention the interaction though, figuring there was a clear difference in the two instances. Still, it was a bit of a revelation and a good one, she’d been wanting to learn how to do what Yaga did to her but now she thought better of it. Her lips pressed into a thin line as she mulled the information over, her eyes still on Yaga.

“I have already apologized for that-” Yaga began but was cut off by Teyva.

“Give me a break! You didn’t mean a word of it!” Teyva ground out, “You said exactly what the King wanted you to say.”

“Enough!” Argus shouted, causing the entire bar to go quiet.

They looked at him and saw that the waiter was back with a tray of drinks, the poor young man looking absolutely terrified. Teyva felt a bit of warmth rise to her face and she let out a breath. She ran her fingers through her hair and turned away, facing the table while Yaga moved to sit down where she stood. With only a single chair between them now, Teyva could positively feel the heat of Yaga’s anger. The others had fallen silent too while Argus passed the drinks around. When it came to Teyva he placed a glass of what looked like jet-black drink in front of her.

“What is it?” She grunted, reaching for the cup and sniffing it. It smelled like raisins.

“Pocal,” Barin said, “Really Argus?”

“What? She’s new to our drinks, I say start her at the top.”

Tiisha forced out a small laugh, “It’s an herbal liquor, derived from a number of plants. Often it is left to sit with opened wildlands grain inside. Quite potent.”

“So absinthe,” Teyva said.

“Sure, whatever the hell that is,” Argus grunted.

“Are you trying to get her drunk?” Yaga demanded.

Teyva was about to ask why she cared when Argus leaned forward with a sneer.

“The best way to settle differences is to get rip-roaring drunk and hash them out. Either with fists or with words. Either way, it starts with good drink,” Argus said, “So get yourself stupid, Yaga, and figure out how you two are going to settle this. Now.”

Teyva sat up straight, frowning, “But-”

“No buts,” Barin said, “We’re basically family now, do it for Azrael.”

Teyva sighed, reaching for her glass and taking a long sip. It was like cough syrup. It reminded her of a certain drink that came in a square bottle back on earth. She coughed once and drank again before setting the glass down. She’d always been a lightweight but for some reason the warmth of a barely noticeable buzz was all that she felt. Maybe it was because of her increased endurance stat? She also had that poison resistance. She took another long drink, then another, as the group of them stared in disbelief. When she set it down she wiped her lip and glared in Yaga’s direction.

“For Azrael.”