Page 15 of Kingdoms of Shadow and Ash

Starfall clapped her hands, and the devouts got to their feet, then left the room. 'For Gods' sake, sit, Adigos. Don’t think I don’t remember you from your youth. You can't be shocked … not really … given what I recall of your exploits.'

'I'm not shocked,' he said. He sat next to the woman with drying nails. She leaned towards him, and he backed away, trying and failing to put distance between them.

'He smells nice,' she said.

Fyia stifled a smile. It was true; he did.

'So, Niece, what is it you want from me this time? I helped rid you of your parents, and I have my just reward,' she said, motioning around her, 'yet here you are again.'

'I have five kingdoms,' said Fyia.

'But no dragons,' said the woman who'd been having a massage, a glint in her eye.

'Or eggs?' said Starfall.

'You should find those,' said the woman next to Adigos. 'Not something to leave up to chance. May I …?' she said to Adigos, hovering a hand over his upper thigh.

'No,' said Adigos.

'Oh, good. I like them feisty.'

Adigos pursed his lips, small lines appearing on his brow. She wouldn't touch him without consent, but that wouldn't stop her from teasing him.

'But you can't leave your kingdoms shepherd-less,' said the first woman.

'You'll need someone you can trust …' said the second, mischievously.

'A safe and proven pair of hands,' agreed the first.

Starfall looked keenly at Fyia. 'So? How are you going to convince me when I have everything I need right here?'

'You expect me to believe that?' said Fyia. 'Look at the three of you, baiting me; you haven't had this much fun in years. I can practically see the cogs in your formidable minds spinning and whirling, calculating what you should demand of me.'

'We'reallin on this?' said the first, as though the suggestion were ridiculous, but her keen eyes betrayed her interest. 'You only need one of us to lead in your absence … and you have the Spider. What purpose would we serve?'

'New positions are becoming available,' said Fyia.

'New positions?' said the second woman, leaning forward. 'Where?'

'Moon,' said Fyia.

'Moon,' repeated the woman, obviously weighing up the pros and cons.

'It's a shame we have such a wonderful life here,' said Starfall, with a shrug.

'You're a terrible liar,' said Fyia. 'Name your price.'

So they did. It was eye-watering: riches and accolades and property rights. They would most likely use none of it, the pleasure of the negotiation their true reward. It mattered not, for they were worth every copper, so after putting up a half-hearted fight, Fyia gave them all they asked.

'They stole my favorite dagger,' said Adigos. He complained to the Spider as they sat in the sitting room of Fyia's temporary residence.

'I told you to keep track of your possessions,' said Fyia, with a smirk.

'When will they arrive?' asked the Spider.

'Tomorrow. They're having a farewell party tonight.'

'I dread to think what that entails,' said Adigos.

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