Page 24 of A War of Embers

Alyvia quickly says, “My apologies, I made the assumption on what you were bargaining for.”

“I’m bargaining for my death, Alyvia. The same thing I have been seeking for years and finally attempted.” Did they think Lord Rowan would immediately deny my quest for death that I would ask him for something else in return?

Her eyebrows crinkle. “I know you are here for that, Keres. I simply thought you were accepting this life and trying to find an alternative route. My mistake.” So it’s precisely what I thought. She looks back down at my hand. “What is the bargain for?”

Tell her I plan on attempting to murder a Lady? Absolutely not. She would run away screaming and ruin any chance I have of finding out Lady Cirilla’s movements prior to departing for the Haze with Lord Rowan. But… I look Alyvia up and down in her maid uniform. She blends in, unlike me. Trying to shadow her would be obtuse, too many people would question it. However, playing to my strengths might be the best chance I have at blending in. Besides where there are Lords and Ladies, there are guards. “Am I allowed to work with the guards?”

My question clearly takes her aback. “Pardon?”

“The guards. Nox. Am I allowed to train with them? I need to work off steam and,” I pause to gesture towards the sword leaning against the wall, “using that is the only way I know how to work off frustration. I was allowed into the garden yesterday. Can I go back today?”

“Zeke would have to approve of your presence. Not many women work with the guards. I’m not sure if they would find you distracting from their duties.”

I can’t help but sneer at the mere idea of women not being allowed in combat positions. “That’s ridiculous. In Tellus, I’m a formidable warrior.” Otherwise known as the Slayer of Cinnabar.

“But you’re in Aïdes now. Women are part of the armies, but they don’t fight with the males.” She pauses. “I can take you to them if you prefer?”

By gods, this isn’t going to be easy at all. “Do they fight with swords?”

“Some do. Most are hand to hand combat from my knowledge.”

Well now. I press my lips together in surprise. Apparently things aren’t as drastic as I believe them to be. Now to decide who I train with. Nox, Zeke, and their harem of men are bound to know Lady Cirilla’s movements, but so may the women. The men have already seen me; either they saw my sparring through words against Zeke or know of it.

Women, by nature, are more likely to be untrusting of my motives by joining them. At least the women who fought in Tellus were distrustful of outsiders, but more distrusting of the men. They took orders from Lords and Ladies in their own units as a counterpart to the men's units. Still, it’s better to know all my enemies than only a few.

“I’d like to spar with the women if they’ll accept me.”

Alyvia looks relieved by my choice. “Of course. I’ll escort you to their arena.”

I can’t stop the surprise from showing on my face. “The men fight in the garden but the women use an arena?”

“They switch it up every month from what I’ve been told. The arena is better for controlled training where the garden opens up to the rest of Aïdes, allowing them to move about freely.”

“Great, then let’s head there.” Dipping down, I snag the hilt of my sword and the sheath I found while raiding through the estate late last night. Hopefully whoever this belongs to doesn’t miss it too much. I strap the sheath to my body and offer a reassuring smile to Alyvia’s anxious face. “Lead the way.”

She’s quiet as she escorts me across the grounds. Unlike the random doorways and halls from yesterday that led us to Lord Rowan, these are familiar as we backtrack through the main portion of the estate towards the kitchen and main activity hub. Alyvia pauses by the front door, apprehension clearly growing as she twists open the door that leads to the crowded streets of the Blood City.

There’s noise now compared to when I first arrived. Voices shouting, metal striking metal in the distance, and animal noises that sound too grotesque and eerie to be anything other than the monsters that dwell in this land.

The narrow alleyway now has clothes hanging above us, showcasing just how lively Aïdes truly is. We meander through the back alleys, not quite going the way I was brought in. Down the long side streets I can spot the murky water spitting and hissing of the Blood Sea. Seems Sereia is in her usual mood, the crack of thunder in the distance rumbling the sky.

“This way,” Alyvia advises.

I realize I quit following her, drawn to look back at the sea, trying to spot the land on the other side but the storm, even from this distance, blocks the view of Tellus. “Right.” I gesture for her to continue, turning my back towards the sliver of Tellus that may or may not be out there. It’s better to focus on what I can control right now, which is finding a way to gain insider knowledge about the workings of Lady Cirilla’s guards and her routine.

Someone steps out in front of us wearing a long dress, her hair tied up in a scarf as she abruptly stops, which effectively pauses our trek to the arena. “Oh! Alyvia,” she smiles a little too wide, her teeth flashing like canines. “I didn’t realize you left the estate.”

Alyvia doesn’t budge in her stance, though the apprehension that’s been clouding her disappears in an instant. “Helena, wonderful to see you out during the daytime.” She positions herself to give the woman a better view of me, or my sword, I’m not really sure if I’m supposed to be posturing right now for her or not.

Deciding it’s best to stop this awkward confrontation from escalating, I glance towards Alyvia. “Can we continue on our path to the arena or is she going to be a problem?” Placing my hand on the hilt of my sword, I turn my attention away and arch an eyebrow at Helena. Alright, so a little posturing might help to get the point across. I don't have time for this. Whoever this woman is, she’s interrupting my plan.

Helena’s gray eyes widen at where my hand rests. Quickly she ducks back inside the dwelling, slamming a wooden door behind her.

Alyvia remains still for a moment longer. She seems to be trying to see through the closed door before shaking herself out of whatever stupor she's been caught in. Her stiff voice surprises me as she continues walking, “This way.”

Several blocks pass as we continue down through more alleyways, which I’m beginning to think is what the entirety of the Blood City consists of. When Alyvia doesn’t expand on the odd encounter, I decide it’s better to pass the time speaking than trying to come up with a plan before I see what I have to deal with. “Who was that woman?”

She freezes momentarily before hurrying her steps. “Helena?”

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